Bill Text: HI SB2065 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Infant Mortality; Elective Pre-term Deliveries; Point-of-care Newborn Screening; Task Force; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-13 - The committee on WAM deferred the measure. [SB2065 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB2065-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2065 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, absent a health problem of the baby or mother during pregnancy, babies delivered at thirty-nine or forty weeks of gestation generally are healthier than babies born prior to the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy. In addition, medical costs associated with full-term babies are lower than medical costs of babies delivered before the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy. However, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has reported that evidence suggests a sharp rise in the number of non-medically indicated elective inductions performed prior to thirty-nine weeks of pregnancy in the United States in the past twenty years. Research shows that there are certain serious health risks associated with such early deliveries, including negative effects on a baby's lung and brain development, vision, and weight.
The legislature also finds that the policy of most birthing facilities in the State conforms to the guidelines of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that elective labor induction should not occur before the thirty-ninth week of gestation. However, while anecdotal, serious concerns have been expressed that there are too many elective pre-term deliveries in the State. The legislature recognizes that hard data and statistics to determine the prevalence of this problem are a necessary first step in addressing this issue.
The legislature further finds that national statistics may indicate that a point-of-care newborn screening program should be established in the State. However, once again, relevant statistics and hard data for Hawaii are insufficient to justify the program. More evidence is necessary to determine whether such a program is needed in Hawaii.
The purpose of this Act is to convene a task force to collect solid data to determine whether there are too many elective pre-term deliveries in Hawaii and, if so, to develop approaches and measures for addressing the issue. The task force shall also collect data to determine whether a point-of-care newborn screening program is needed in Hawaii.
SECTION 2. The department of health shall convene a task force that includes representation from the department of health, birthing facilities in Hawaii, the Hawaii section of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.
The task force shall collect relevant data concerning the number of elective pre-term pregnancy deliveries in Hawaii. The task force shall determine whether that number is so large that it poses a public health threat. If it so finds, the task force shall develop approaches and measures for addressing the issue. The task force shall also collect the data needed to determine whether Hawaii needs a point-of-care newborn screening program.
The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to reimburse task force members for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Infant Mortality; Elective Pre-term Deliveries; Point-of-care Newborn Screening; Task Force; Appropriation
Description:
Creates a task force that is to be convened by the department of health to study and make recommendations on elective pre-term pregnancy deliveries and point-of-care newborn screening. Appropriates funds to reimburse task force members for travel and other expenses.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
