The proposed bill updates current statutes by establishing the Maternal Mortality Review Program (MMR Program) to evaluate pregnancy-associated deaths in Arizona, transferring the responsibility for these evaluations from the State Child Fatality Review Team. It introduces new provisions that outline the MMR Program's duties, including coordinating case reviews, developing a data collection system, and producing biennial reports on maternal fatalities. The bill also specifies the composition and membership requirements for the MMR Program and its Committee, which will include various health professionals and relevant organization representatives.

In addition to these insertions, the bill makes significant deletions, such as removing the requirement for local child fatality review teams to review death certificates of women and eliminating the definition of "maternal fatalities associated with pregnancy." It also changes the chapter heading from "CHILD FATALITIES" to "CHILD AND MATERNAL DEATHS" and the article heading from "GENERAL PROVISIONS" to "CHILD FATALITIES AND MATERNAL MORTALITY." The bill clarifies that members of the MMR Program cannot be questioned in civil or criminal proceedings regarding information from meetings, and it emphasizes a collaborative approach to addressing maternal health alongside child fatalities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-3501, 36-3501.01, 36-3502, 36-3503, 8-807.01, 36-3506