OH HB435

Establishes annual continuing education requirements for hospitals and freestanding birthing centers on severe maternal hypertension, obstetric hemorrhage, and the two most prevalent obstetric complications as identified in pregnancy-associated mortality review board reports.

Requires the director of health to adopt rules mandating educational modules for employees and contractors who care for pregnant and postpartum women, including emergency department staff, with modules updated and provided at least annually.

Directs the department of health to collaborate with the Ohio perinatal quality collaborative to develop an initiative addressing birth equity, reducing racial and ethnic disparities in peripartum care, and addressing implicit bias in healthcare.

Mandates development of best practices for implicit bias training and cultural competency education to be used by hospitals and birthing centers in patient-provider interactions.

Requires the department of health to make available best practices for timely identification of pregnant and postpartum women in emergency departments and for appropriate consultation with obstetric specialists, including through telemedicine services.