An Act Regarding the Maternal and Infant Death Review Panel
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1599
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MARRACHE, SA VIELLO, CAMPBELL, STRANG BURGESS, STUCKEY
Amends: 22 MRSA §261

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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L) 
124th MAl E LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No. 1599 
S.P.606 
In Senate, December 18, 2009 
An Act Regarding the Maternal and Infant Death Review Panel 
(EMERGENCy) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2009. Referred to the Committee 
on Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator MARRACHE of Kennebec. 
9tfl(J~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary ofthe Senate 
Cosponsored by Representative SA VIELLO of Wilton, Representative CAMPBELL of 
Newfield and 
Representatives: STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland, STUCKEY of Portland. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the statute establishing the maternal and infant death review panel 
includes a repeal date of January 1,2011; and 
Whereas, unless action is taken in the 124th Legislature to prevent the repeal, the 
panel's work, which furthers the public health and welfare, will cease; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
0 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §261, sub-§6-A is enacted to read: 
6-A. Duty to report; notificaOI 10111. A physician, physician assistant or nurse who 
was the primary care provider for a Homan who died during pregnancy or within 42 days 
of giving birth or a child who died within 1 year of birth shall within 30 days after the 
death of that person report the death to the panel in the manner specified by rule adopted 
by the panel. A person who reports a death to the panel under this subsection shall, at the 
time of death or of making the report, provide notice to the parent or parents or other 
authorized representative of the deceased person of the report to the panel. 
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §261, sub-§l1, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 467, § 1, is repealed. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires health care providers to report to the maternal and infant death 
review panel all deaths of infants under one year of age and women during pregnancy and 
within 42 days of giving birth and to provide notice of the report, at the time of death or 
at the time of making the report, to the parent or parents or authorized representative of 
the deceased person. The bill repeals the ending date of January 1, 2011 of the maternal 
and infant death review panel. 
Page I - 124LR2329(Ol)-1 
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