SB 154 requires the attending physician of a woman who dies during childbirth to report the death to the State Department of Health as well as to provide a place on the death certificate where the medical examiner can indicate that the death of the woman was related to maternal mortality. If a woman dies within 42 days after giving birth, the person determining the cause of death must report the death to the State Department of Health and provide a place on the death certificate where the person authorized to make a determination and pronouncement of death can indicate that the death of the woman was related to maternal mortality. The State Department of Health is directed by the measure to maintain a database of deaths related to child birth.
(Summary prepared by the Legislature)