Bill
Bill > LD2189
ME LD2189
ME LD2189An Act to Require Prior Notification of Closures of Labor and Delivery Units and Changes in Maternity or Newborn Care Services by Hospitals as Recommended by the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the Delivery of Health Care Services in the State
summary
Introduced
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
In Committee
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services pursuant to Resolve 2025, chapter 106 to implement a recommendation from the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the Delivery of Health Care Services in the State. The joint standing committee has not taken a position on the substance of this bill. By reporting this bill out, the joint standing committee is not suggesting and does not intend to suggest that it agrees or disagrees with any aspect of this bill; instead, the joint standing committee is reporting the bill out for the sole purpose of having a bill printed that can be referred to a joint standing committee for an appropriate public hearing and subsequent processing in the normal course. The joint standing committee is taking this action to ensure clarity and transparency in the legislative review of the proposals contained in the bill. This bill requires a hospital to provide at least 120 days' notice prior to the termination of maternity or newborn care services or of a change in the level of care a hospital provides for maternity and newborn care services.
AI Summary
This bill requires hospitals to provide at least 120 days' notice to the state department before closing down their maternity or newborn care services, or before changing the level of care they offer for these services. This notice must include the effective date and reason for the closure or change, contact information for the hospital, a plan for emergency care including staff training, a list of notifications sent to nearby hospitals and emergency services, and details on how the public was informed. The "department" refers to the state agency responsible for health oversight, and "level of care" refers to the different categories of services a hospital can provide for maternity and newborn care, such as basic care or specialized intensive care. This measure aims to ensure communities are aware of and can prepare for significant changes in essential healthcare services.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Last Action
Hearing (10:00:00 2/25/2026 Cross Building, Room 220) (on 02/25/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2189&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1470&item=1&snum=132 |
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