Bill > A2668

Introduced Session

This bill requires that various actions be taken during the perinatal period, which is from the 20th week of gestation through the 28th day after birth, in order to improve birth outcomes and protect the health of low-income expectant mothers who may be at risk for complications. Specifically, the bill amends R.S.26:8-4, which currently requires reporting of births and deaths (including fetal deaths) to the State registrar, to require that fetal deaths occurring 20 or more weeks after gestation also be reported to a State electronic birth certificate and perinatal database. In addition, the bill requires that health care professionals in clinics providing prenatal care to patients and care to newborns apply the criteria contained in the most recent edition of the Guidelines for Perinatal Care, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to determine which high-risk conditions require referral to a perinatologist, which is a specialist in the care of mothers and fetuses at higher-than-normal risk for complications.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Chris DePhillips (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document