Amendment #6, as changed to H4773

Maternal mortality and morbidity review committee

Mr. Worrell of Boston moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 13 the following section:-

SECTION 13A. Section 24O of chapter 111 of the General Laws, inserted by section 43 of chapter 28 of the acts of 2023, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (d), the second time the subsection appears, and subsection (e), and inserting in place thereof the following 3 subsections:-

(e)(1) The committee shall consist of the following members: the commissioner, or their designee, who shall serve as chair; the assistant secretary for MassHealth, or their designee, a representative of the department of public health; the executive director of the health policy commission, or their designee; a representative of the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network of Massachusetts; the chief medical examiner, or their designee; the chair of the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, or their designee; the chair of the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives, or their designee; the chair of the Massachusetts chapter of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, or their designee; and the commissioner shall appoint the following members: a medical professional with obstetric and neonatal nursing training; a medical professional with training in cardiology; a medical professional with training in pathology; a medical professional with expertise in substance use prevention and treatment; a psychology, social work or other mental health professional; a representative from academia in a relevant field; a medical professional with formal anesthesiology training; a medical professional with maternal fetal medicine or perinatology training; a medical professional with psychiatric training; a medical professional with family medicine training; the director of a federally-funded Healthy Start program, or their designee; 2 individuals who practice as doulas; 2 community or family members who have been directly affected by a maternal death; a member of a community-based organization; a representative from the department of children and families; and a law enforcement officer.

(2) Each member, other than the commissioner, shall serve for a term of 3 years and until their successor is appointed. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commissioner from appointing a committee member to serve additional terms. The committee shall convene as deemed necessary by the department. The commissioner shall, to the extent feasible, appoint members representing the racial, ethnic and geographic diversity of the commonwealth and shall prioritize appointing members from communities and groups most impacted by maternal mortality and maternal morbidity.

(f) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year, the committee shall submit to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on public health a report, including, but not limited to:

(i) a description of the incidents of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity reviewed during the immediately preceding 24 months, provided in a manner that shall not allow for the identification of any person;

(ii) a summary of the disparities identified and reviewed;

(iii) recommendations to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the commonwealth; and

(iv) recommendations for any legislation or other changes to policy to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity or otherwise improve the delivery of health care in the commonwealth.

(g) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, upon the determination of a majority of the committee, that the review of any information or record is necessary to carry out the purpose of this section, the committee shall request and the relevant offices and agencies shall provide requested records or information from any agency, department or office of the commonwealth including, but not limited to: (i) the executive office of health and human services and its constituent agencies; (ii) the executive office of public safety and security; (iii) the center for health information and analysis; (iv) the office of patient protection; (v) any health care facility, state comprehensive health planning agency or acute-care hospital as defined in section 25B; and (vi) any health care provider or professional licensed pursuant to chapter 112. The committee may receive and solicit voluntary information, including oral or written statements relating to any case that may come before the committee from any public or private entity and any person including, but not limited to, a patient in a case of maternal morbidity.

And further amend the bill, in section 14, by striking out, in line 91, the words “Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby” and inserting in place thereof the words “Said chapter 111 is hereby further”.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #6, as changed to H4773

Maternal mortality and morbidity review committee