The Amir Act aims to enhance infant and maternal care within health care facilities in Iowa by establishing protocols for addressing caregiver concerns and ensuring timely medical responses. The bill outlines legislative findings that highlight the critical public health issues of infant and maternal mortality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing concerns raised by caregivers. It mandates that health care facilities adopt caregiver concern escalation protocols, which require documentation and prompt assessment of any concerns expressed by caregivers regarding the health of infants or their mothers. Additionally, the bill prohibits retaliation against caregivers for voicing concerns and ensures that such concerns are not dismissed without action.

Furthermore, the Amir Act introduces an infant rapid response process that can be initiated by medical staff or caregivers when an infant's condition is perceived to be worsening. Health care facilities are required to provide written and verbal notices to caregivers about their rights, including the right to document concerns and request higher levels of care. The bill also mandates annual training for health care staff on recognizing caregiver-reported warning signs and proper use of escalation protocols. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with adopting rules to implement these provisions, while the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing will enforce compliance through corrective actions and penalties for violations.