HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1093        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2033

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act Relative to Educational Information about Premature Infants' Risks and Healthcare Needs..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 1. Section 76C of Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection at the end hereto: -

(1)  The Department of Health shall, by January 4, 2010, prepare written educational publications containing information about the possible complications, proper care and support associated with newborn infants who are born premature at less than 37 weeks gestational age.  The written information shall at a minimum include the following:

The unique health issues affecting infants born premature, such as: increased risk of developmental problems; nutritional challenges; infection; chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia); vision and hearing impairment; breathing problems; feeding; maintaining body temperature; jaundice; hyperactivity; infant mortality as well as long-term complications associated with growth and nutrition; respiratory problems; fine motor skills; reading; writing; mathematics and speaking. 

The proper care needs of premature infants, developmental screenings and monitoring and healthcare services available to premature infants through the Medicaid program and other public or private health programs.

Methods, vaccines and other preventative measures to protect premature infants from infectious diseases, including viral respiratory infections.

The emotional and financial burdens and other challenges that parents and family members of premature infants experience and information about community resources available to support them.

(2)  The publications shall be written in clear language to educate parents of premature infants across a variety of socioeconomic statuses.  The department may consult with community organizations that focus on premature infants or pediatric healthcare.  The department shall update the publications every two years.

(3)  The Department shall distribute these publications to children’s health providers, maternal care providers, hospitals, public health departments and medical organizations and encourage those organizations to provide the publications to parents or guardians of premature infants.