STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2078

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator WEINBERG)

ADOPTED: JUNE 21, 2021

      These Senate floor amendments add language providing that the requirement that a dedicated nurse be designated as the point of contact for gestational parents who have experienced a stillbirth will be subject to change based on shift designations.

      The amendments remove a requirement that the Stillbirth Resource Center work with the Governor’s office to coordinate stillbirth strategies and interventions.

      The amendments remove language providing that the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Committee will replace and supersede existing Fetal Infant Death Review teams.

      The amendments remove language granting the Committee subpoena power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in the course of conducting an investigation.

      The amendments clarify that the Committee will be tasked with identifying best practices to ensure the provision of the highest quality of care to address fetal and infant health in the State.

      The amendments revise a requirement for the Committee to develop a mandatory fetal death reporting process to instead require the Department of Health to develop the process in consultation with the Committee.  The amendments add language expressly requiring the reporting process be consistent with State and federal law and clarifying that it will be a process for reporting fetal and infant deaths.

      The amendments remove a cross citation involving the process by which the Committee receives reports of fetal and infant deaths and make various technical changes.