An Act To Require the Department of Health and Human Services To Distribute Information Regarding Down Syndrome to Providers of Prenatal and Postnatal Care and to Genetic Counselors
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1134
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: VOLK, LAJOIE, BRAKEY, CUSHING, EDGECOMB, LIBBY, MASON, PATRICK, CRAFTS, TIMBERLAKE
Amends: 22 MRSA §1642

Legislative Document 
No. 1134 
S.P. 403 
In Senate, March 31, 2015 
An Act To Require the Department of Health and Human Services 
To Distribute Information Regarding Down Syndrome to Providers 
of Prenatal and Postnatal Care and to Genetic Counselors 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator VOLK of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston and 
Senators: BRAKEY of Androscoggin, CUSHING of Penobscot, EDGECOMB of Aroostook, 
LIBBY of Androscoggin, MASON of Androscoggin, PATRICK of Oxford, Representatives: 
CRAFTS of Lisbon, TIMBERLAKE of Turner. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §1642 is enacted to read: 
§1642.  Down syndrome 
The department shall establish, maintain and operate an information service for 
Down syndrome.  For the purposes of this section, "Down syndrome" means a 
chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of 
an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. 
1.  Expectant or new parent; others.  A hospital, physician, health care provider or 
certified nurse midwife who renders prenatal care or postnatal care or a genetic counselor 
who renders prenatal or postnatal genetic counseling shall, upon receipt of a positive test 
result from a prenatal or postnatal test for Down syndrome, provide the expectant or new 
parent with information provided by the department under subsection 2.  The department 
shall also make such information available to any other person who has received a 
positive test result from a prenatal or postnatal test for Down syndrome. 
2.  Information provided.  The department shall make available to a person who 
renders prenatal care, postnatal care or genetic counseling to expectant or new parents 
who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome the following: 
A.  Up-to-date evidence-based written information about Down syndrome that 
includes physical, developmental, educational and psychosocial outcomes, life 
expectancy, clinical course and intellectual and functional development and treatment 
options.  The information must have been reviewed by medical experts and national 
Down syndrome organizations; and 
B.  Contact information regarding support programs and services, including 
information hotlines specific to Down syndrome, resource centers and 
clearinghouses, national, statewide and local Down syndrome organizations and other 
educational and support programs. 
3.  Accessibility of information.  Information provided under this section must be 
culturally and linguistically appropriate for a person receiving a positive prenatal 
diagnosis and for the family of a child receiving a postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires that hospitals, physicians and other health professionals provide 
information about Down syndrome to expectant or new parents who have received a 
prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.  The Department of Health and 
Human Services is directed to distribute appropriate information to health care providers 
for distribution.