MO HB630

Establishes the Missouri Task Force on Prematurity and Infant Mortality within the children's services commission consisting of 23 members including legislators, state agency directors, medical professionals, and consumer representatives.

Task force members to be appointed by September 15, 2011, with initial meeting convened by October 15, 2011, and quarterly meetings thereafter with at least two meetings required before end of 2011.

Task force goals include reducing Missouri's preterm birth and infant mortality rates through evidence-based approaches, including smoking cessation programs for pregnant women, care standards for premature infants, and identification of strategies to reduce late preterm deliveries.

Task force required to submit report on current state of prematurity by March 1, 2012, final recommendations with legislative proposals by January 15, 2013, and evaluation of recommendation implementation by January 15, 2015.

Task force expires January 31, 2015, or upon submission of final report, whichever is earlier; members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.