SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1898

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES BAHR (Sponsor), MAY AND GRISAMORE (Co-sponsors).

5929H.02I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 192, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to perinatal care.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 192, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 192.380, to read as follows:

            192.380. 1. By January 1, 2015, the department shall develop standards for all levels of hospital perinatal care including regional perinatal centers. Such standards shall assure that:

            (1) Facilities are equipped and prepared to stabilize infants prior to transport;

            (2) Coordination exists between general maternity care and perinatal centers;

            (3) Unexpected complications during delivery can be properly managed;

            (4) All high-risk pregnancies and childbirths are reviewed at each hospital or maternity center to determine if such children are born with a handicapping condition or developmental disability that threatens life or development;

            (5) Procedures are implemented to identify and report to the department all births of children with handicapping conditions or developmental disabilities that threaten life or development;

            (6) Children identified as having a handicapping condition or developmental disability that threatens life or development are promptly evaluated in consultation with designated regional perinatal centers and referred, if appropriate, to such centers or to other medical specialty services as approved by the department and in accordance with the level of perinatal care authorized for each hospital or maternity care center for the proper management and treatment of such condition or disability;

            (7) Hospital or maternity centers conduct postnatal reviews of all perinatal deaths as well as reviews of the births of children born with handicapping conditions or developmental disabilities that threaten life or development utilizing criteria of case selection developed by such hospitals or maternity centers or the appropriate medical staff committees thereof in order to determine the appropriateness of diagnosis and treatment and the adequacy of procedures to prevent such disabilities or the loss of life;

            (8) High-risk mothers are provided information, referral, and counseling services to ensure informed consent to the treatment of children born with handicapping conditions or developmental disabilities;

            (9) Parents and families are provided information, referral, and counseling services to assist in obtaining habilitation, rehabilitation, and special education services for children born with handicapping conditions or developmental disabilities so that such children have an opportunity to realize their full potential. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, the establishment of procedures for notification of the appropriate state and local educational service agencies regarding children who may require evaluation and assessment under such agencies; and

            (10) Consultation when indicated is provided for and available. Perinatal centers shall provide care for the high-risk expectant mother who may deliver a distressed or disabled infant. Such centers shall also provide intensive care to the high-risk newborn whose life or physical well-being is in jeopardy. Standards shall include the availability of:

            (a) Trained personnel;

            (b) Trained neonatal nursing staff;

            (c) X-ray and laboratory equipment available on a twenty-four-hour basis;

            (d) Infant monitoring equipment;

            (e) Transportation of mothers and infants;

            (f) Genetic services;

            (g) Surgical and cardiology consultation; and

            (h) Other support services as may be required.

            2. The standards under this section shall be based upon best practices as outlined by the most current version of the “Guidelines for Perinatal Care” prepared by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

            3. The standards under this section shall be established by rules and regulations of the department. Such standards shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes of this section if they require the perinatal care facilities to submit plans or enter into agreements with the department that adequately address the requirements of subsection 1 of this section.

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