1.2relating to health; amending the duties and reporting dates for an existing task
1.3force on prematurity;amending Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9,
1.4article 2, section 27.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6    Section 1. Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 2, section 27, is amended
1.7to read:
1.8    Sec. 27. MINNESOTA TASK FORCE ON PREMATURITY.
1.9    Subdivision 1. Establishment. The Minnesota Task Force on Prematurity is
1.10established to evaluate and make recommendations on methods for reducing prematurity
1.11and improving premature infant health care in the state.
1.12    Subd. 2. Membership; meetings; staff. (a) The task force shall be composed of at
1.13least the following members, who serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority:
1.14(1) 15 seven representatives of the Minnesota Prematurity Coalition including, but
1.15not limited to, health care providers who treat pregnant women or neonates, organizations
1.16focused on preterm births, early childhood education and development professionals, and
1.17families affected by prematurity;
1.18(2) one representative appointed by the commissioner of human services;
1.19(3) two representatives appointed by the commissioner of health;
1.20(4) one representative appointed by the commissioner of education;
1.21(5) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of
1.22the house and one appointed by the minority leader; and
1.23(6) two members of the senate, appointed according to the rules of the senate.
1.24(b) Members of the task force serve without compensation or payment of expenses.
2.1(c) The commissioner of health must convene the first meeting of the Minnesota
2.2Task Force on Prematurity by July 31, 2011. The task force must continue to meet at
2.3least quarterly. Staffing and technical assistance shall be provided by the Minnesota
2.4Perinatal Coalition.
2.5    Subd. 3. Duties. The task force must report the current state of prematurity in
2.6Minnesota and develop recommendations on strategies for reducing prematurity and
2.7improving premature infant health care in the state by considering the following:
2.8(1) ensuring adherence to standards of care for premature infants born less than 37
2.9weeks gestational age, including recommendations to improve utilization of appropriate
2.10 hospital discharge and follow-up care procedures;
2.11(2) coordination of information among appropriate professional and advocacy
2.12organizations on measures to improve health care for infants born prematurely; and
2.13(3) identification and centralization of available resources to improve access and
2.14awareness for caregivers of premature infants;.
2.15(4) development and dissemination of evidence-based practices through networking
2.16and educational opportunities;
2.17(5) a review of relevant evidence-based research regarding the causes and effects of
2.18premature births in Minnesota;
2.19(6) a review of relevant evidence-based research regarding premature infant health
2.20care, including methods for improving quality of and access to care for premature infants;
2.21(7) a review of the potential improvements in health status related to the use of
2.22health care homes to provide and coordinate pregnancy-related services; and
2.23(8) identification of gaps in public reporting measures and possible effects of these
2.24measures on prematurity rates.
2.25    Subd. 4. Report; expiration. (a) By November 30, 2011 January 15, 2015, the
2.26task force must submit a final report to the chairs and ranking majority members of
2.27the legislative policy committees on health and human services on the current state of
2.28prematurity in Minnesota to the chairs of the legislative policy committees on health and
2.29human services, including any recommendations to reduce premature births and improve
2.30premature infant health in the state.
2.31(b) By January 15, 2013, the task force must report its final recommendations,
2.32including any draft legislation necessary for implementation, to the chairs of the legislative
2.33policy committees on health and human services.
2.34(c) (b) This task force expires on January 31, 2013 2015, or upon submission of the
2.35final report required in paragraph (b) (a), whichever is earlier.