MO SB342

Creates a Perinatal Advisory Council composed of 14 appointed members from medical organizations, hospitals, and public health agencies, with directors of health and social services serving as non-voting ex officio members

Council will recommend how to divide Missouri into neonatal and maternal care regions based on geographic proximity, hospital systems, and insurance networks

Establishes standards for all levels of birthing hospital care, including requirements for neonatal stabilization prior to transport, coordination between facilities, and postnatal mortality reviews

Care level standards must be based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, with variances allowed for geographic needs

Department of Health and Senior Services must establish implementing regulations by January 1, 2017, and hospitals must include maternal and neonatal care level designations in license applications beginning January 1, 2016