The bill establishes a pilot program aimed at preventing stillbirths through tracking fetal movement, which will be funded by a grant issued by the commissioner of health. The program will operate over three fiscal years (2024, 2025, and 2026) and includes specific definitions of stillbirth, categorizing it into early, late, and term stillbirths based on gestational age. The grant recipient is required to use the funds for various activities, including providing educational materials to expectant parents and maternal health providers, raising awareness among healthcare professionals, and conducting public relations campaigns to promote the importance of tracking fetal movement during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Additionally, the bill mandates data-sharing and monitoring requirements for the grant recipient, which includes quarterly reporting on educational materials distributed, application downloads, and engagement metrics. An annual report will assess the program's impact on fetal death rates, particularly among marginalized populations and in areas with high stillbirth rates. The commissioner is also tasked with submitting interim and final reports to legislative committees detailing the program's operations and effectiveness. The bill appropriates $125,000 from the general fund for the program, which will be available until June 30, 2027.