Bill > A1799

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to develop a voluntary shared decision-making tool for maternity care hospitals and birthing centers aimed at improving patient knowledge, collaboration, and experiences during pregnancy and childbirth. The tool will include patient questionnaires, educational fact sheets, and multimedia resources covering topics such as choosing healthcare providers, labor support techniques, potential pregnancy complications, benefits of full-term pregnancies, and risks associated with medical procedures like cesarean sections. The bill establishes a three-year pilot program where selected hospitals and birthing centers from different regions of the state will implement and evaluate the tool by collecting comprehensive data on maternal outcomes, including the rates of medically and non-medically indicated labor inductions, cesarean sections, vaginal deliveries, and birth plan creation. After the pilot program concludes, participating facilities must submit a report to the commissioner, governor, and legislature detailing the tool's effectiveness and recommending potential improvements and statewide implementation strategies. The act will take effect 360 days after enactment and expire after the final report submission.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A1799