SF 321

2nd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/19/2013 08:55am

A bill for an act
relating to health; amending the duties and reporting dates for an existing task
force on prematurity; amending Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9,
article 2, section 27.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 2, section 27, is amended
to read:

Sec. 27. MINNESOTA TASK FORCE ON PREMATURITY.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The Minnesota Task Force on Prematurity is
established to evaluate and make recommendations on methods for reducing prematurity
and improving premature infant health care in the state.

Subd. 2.

Membership; meetings; staff.

(a) The task force shall be composed of at
least the following members, who serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority:

(1) 15 seven representatives of the Minnesota Prematurity Coalition including, but
not limited to, health care providers who treat pregnant women or neonates, organizations
focused on preterm births, early childhood education and development professionals, and
families affected by prematurity;

(2) one representative appointed by the commissioner of human services;

(3) two representatives appointed by the commissioner of health;

(4) one representative appointed by the commissioner of education;

(5) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of
the house and one appointed by the minority leader; and

(6) two members of the senate, appointed according to the rules of the senate.

(b) Members of the task force serve without compensation or payment of expenses.

(c) The commissioner of health must convene the first meeting of the Minnesota
Task Force on Prematurity by July 31, 2011. The task force must continue to meet at
least quarterly. Staffing and technical assistance shall be provided by the Minnesota
Perinatal Coalition.

Subd. 3.

Duties.

The task force must report the current state of prematurity in
Minnesota and develop recommendations on strategies for reducing prematurity and
improving premature infant health care in the state by considering the following:

(1) ensuring adherence to standards of care for premature infants born less than 37
weeks gestational age, including recommendations to improve utilization of appropriate
hospital discharge and follow-up care procedures;

(2) coordination of information among appropriate professional and advocacy
organizations on measures to improve health care for infants born prematurely; and

(3) identification and centralization of available resources to improve access and
awareness for caregivers of premature infants;.

(4) development and dissemination of evidence-based practices through networking
and educational opportunities;

(5) a review of relevant evidence-based research regarding the causes and effects of
premature births in Minnesota;

(6) a review of relevant evidence-based research regarding premature infant health
care, including methods for improving quality of and access to care for premature infants;

(7) a review of the potential improvements in health status related to the use of
health care homes to provide and coordinate pregnancy-related services; and

(8) identification of gaps in public reporting measures and possible effects of these
measures on prematurity rates.

Subd. 4.

Report; expiration.

(a) By November 30, 2011 January 15, 2015, the
task force must submit a final report to the chairs and ranking majority members of
the legislative policy committees on health and human services on the current state of
prematurity in Minnesota to the chairs of the legislative policy committees on health and
human services, including any recommendations to reduce premature births and improve
premature infant health in the state.

(b) By January 15, 2013, the task force must report its final recommendations,
including any draft legislation necessary for implementation, to the chairs of the legislative
policy committees on health and human services.

(c) (b) This task force expires on January 31, 2013 2015, or upon submission of the
final report required in paragraph (b) (a), whichever is earlier.