HB 6599 Summary

• Establishes a maternal mortality review committee within the Department of Public Health to conduct multidisciplinary reviews of maternal deaths and make recommendations to reduce maternal mortality.

• Committee co-chairs are the Commissioner of Public Health and a representative designated by the Connecticut State Medical Society, with membership including physicians, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health professionals appointed by relevant professional organizations.

• Committee must develop educational materials by January 1, 2023 on mental health disorders in pregnancy, screening tools for intimate partner violence and substance use disorder, and indicators of intimate partner violence for distribution to hospitals and obstetric providers.

• By January 1, 2024, committee must develop additional educational materials on intimate partner violence toward pregnant and postpartum persons for distribution to birthing hospitals and obstetric providers.

• Starting January 1, 2024, licensed health care providers screening patients for domestic violence may submit documentation to the Department of Public Health; the department shall maintain and publish a publicly available list of participating providers by January 1, 2025.