An Act to Require Prior Notification of Closures of Labor and Delivery Units and Changes in Maternity or Newborn Care Services by Hospitals as Recommended by the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the Delivery of Health Care Services in the State

Page 1 - 132LR3020(05)
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
_____
H.P. 1470 - L.D. 2189
An Act to Require Prior Notification of Closures of Labor and Delivery Units
and Changes in Maternity or Newborn Care Services by Hospitals as
Recommended by the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory
Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the
Delivery of Health Care Services in the State
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the notification required by this legislation is needed as soon as possible to
give affected residents adequate time to prepare for closures of labor and delivery units and
make other plans; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1822-B is enacted to read:
§1822-B. Notice of termination of or change in maternity or newborn care services
1. Termination of maternity or newborn care services. A hospital shall file with
the department at least 120 days prior to the effective date of the termination of maternity
or newborn care services a notice setting forth the following information:
A. The effective date of the proposed termination and the reason for the termination;
B. The name, title, e-mail address and phone number for a contact person at the
hospital;
C. The hospital's plan for emergency care, including the development and review of
policy and procedure for maternity emergencies and training for emergency department
and family practice staff on emergency obstetric care;
APPROVED
APRIL 3, 2026
BY GOVERNOR
CHAPTER
606
PUBLIC LAW
Page 2 - 132LR3020(05)
D. A list and descriptions of notifications sent to surrounding hospitals within 50 miles
and Level II, Level III and Level IV newborn nursery units, to any local emergency
management, fire and law enforcement services and to any registered patients that are
affected by the termination; and
E. A description of how the hospital provided public notification of the termination.
2. Change in level of care of maternity or newborn care services. A hospital shall
file with the department at least 120 days prior to the effective date of a change in the level
of care of maternity or newborn care services a notice setting forth the following
information:
A. The effective date of the proposed change in the level of care and the reason for the
change;
B. The name, title, e-mail address and phone number for a contact person at the
hospital;
C. A list and descriptions of notifications sent to surrounding hospitals within 50 miles
and Level II, Level III and Level IV newborn nursery units, to any local emergency
management, fire and law enforcement services and to any registered patients that are
affected by the change; and
D. A description of how the hospital provided public notification of the change.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.