HB925: HB925 The Georgia Maternal Health Momnibus Act; enact

25 LC 60 0091 House Bill 925 By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Miller of the 62nd, Scott of the 76th, Bazemore of the 69th, Hugley of the 141st, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Titles 31, 33, 34, 37, 45, 48, and 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to health, insurance, labor and industrial relations, mental health, public officers and2 employees, revenue and taxation, and social services, respectiv e l y , s o a s t o e n a c t t h e3 "Georgia Maternal Health Momnibus Act"; to provide for legislative findings and intent; to4 provide for a short title; to repeal Code Section 31-2A-19, relating to pilot program for home5 visitation during pregnancy and early childhood, reporting, and funding requirement; to6 establish pilot programs to provide prenatal care and postpartum care through telemedicine7 and mobile health clinics for wo men residing in limited materni ty care counties and8 maternity care deserts; to authorize rules and regulations, provide for reporting, provide for9 contingent effectiveness, and provide for termination and automatic repeal with respect to10 such pilot programs; to provide for group prenatal care and pos tpartum care classes and11 sessions to certain pregnant and postpartum women from low-inco me households; to12 authorize rules and regulations and provide for reporting with respect to the same; to require13 implicit bias initial and refresher training for certain health care professionals involved in14 perinatal care; to create and provide a purpose for the Regiona l Perinatal Center Advisory15 Committee; to provide for its composition and duties; to provid e for assessment and16 recommendations to the commissioner of public health; to establ ish criteria for hospitals17 interested in being designated as a regional perinatal center; to authorize rules and18 H. B. 925 - 1 - 25 LC 60 0091 regulations and provide for presentation of a plan every four y ears with respect to such19 committee; to provide for coverage for maternal mental health screening and care; to provide20 for a comprehensive quality metrics program with respect to suc h screening and care; to21 require the provision of educational materials upon signs and symptoms of perinatal mood22 and anxiety disorders; to establish a pilot program for remote maternal mental health23 screening and monitoring; to provide for legislative intent, authorize rules and regulations,24 and provide for funding and reporting with respect to such pilot program; to establish a pilot25 program to provide coverage under the Medicaid program for doul a care for pregnant26 Medicaid recipients; to provide for doula qualifications, autho rize rules and regulations,27 provide for reporting, provide for contingent effectiveness, and provide for termination and28 automatic repeal with respect to such pilot program; to provide for a public awareness29 campaign related to maternal health; to expand the Georgia WIC (Women, Infants, and30 Children) program to cover children up to six years of age and to provide for contingent31 effectiveness; to create and establish a purpose for the Suppor ting Healthy Moms Grant32 Program; to provide for the allocation of annual grant awards under such program; to provide33 for rules and regulations and reporting with respect to such pr ogram; to require certain34 accommodations in the workplace for pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions; to35 provide for the specific powers and duties of the Commissioner of Labor related to such36 requirements; to provide for notice of rights and reasonable ac commodations to job37 applicants and employees for circumstances related to pregnancy; to provide for a civil cause38 of action and relief; to provide for certain instruction and public education; to authorize rules39 and regulations and provide for construction with respect to su ch workplace40 accommodations; to exempt the sale or use of diapers from taxat ion; to require healthcare41 providers, healthcare facilities, and pharmacies to provide the Maternal Mortality Review42 Committee with psychiatric records; to create and provide a purpose for the Severe Maternal43 Morbidity Review Committee; to provide for the compilation, tracking, reporting, and public44 dissemination of data on severe maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths; to provide45 H. B. 925 - 2 - 25 LC 60 0091 for a study on reducing severe maternal morbidity; to provide for a report and for automatic46 repeal of provisions relating to such study; to permit the rele ase of clinical records of a47 deceased patient or deceased former patient to the Maternal Mor tality Review Committee48 and the Severe Maternal Morbidity Review Committee; to remove t he requirement that a49 medical examiner's inquiry for pregnant female deaths be done through a regional perinatal50 center; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;51 and for other purposes.52 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:53 PART 1.54 SECTION 1-1.55 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "The Georgia Maternal Health Momnibus56 Act."57 PART 2.58 Comprehensive and Equitable Maternal Healthcare59 SECTION 2-1.60 (a) The General Assembly of Georgia finds that:61 (1) Georgia's maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the nation, regardless of62 ethnic or socioeconomic background;63 (2) According to the Commonwealth Fund, in 2020 the United States' mortality rate was64 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is much higher than the 9.8 average of the65 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In 2020 , Georgia's rate of66 maternal mortality was 33.0 deaths per 100,000 live births;67 H. B. 925 - 3 - 25 LC 60 0091 (3) Systemic disparities, including lack of access to quality care across socioeconomic68 strata, contribute to poor maternal health outcomes. The Depar tment of Public Health69 reports that over 80 percent of pregnancy related deaths in Georgia are preventable;70 (4) Reports from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families show that nearly one71 in five (19.3 percent) of women of childbearing age (18-44) hav e no health insurance.72 This is one of the highest rates in the country, leaving Georgi a forty-sixth overall as it73 relates to women's healthcare access. Georgia has the highest uninsured rate in the South,74 apart from Mississippi where 21.2 percent of women of childbearing age are uninsured;75 (5) Social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and economic stability,76 significantly impact maternal health outcomes. Data from the D epartment of Public77 Health highlights transportation barriers as a leading factor i n missed prenatal78 appointments;79 (6) Ninety-three rural Georgia counties do not have a hospital with a labor and delivery80 unit, and there are no rural counties in the state with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. 81 Mothers in these areas are often more impacted by lack of trans portation, little or no82 access to the social safety net, and the presence of few perinatal supportive resources; and83 (7) Federal legislation such as the Black Maternal Health Momn ibus Act of 202384 provides a comprehensive framework to address maternal health d isparities, offering85 Georgia an opportunity to align state efforts with national goals.86 (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to address systemic disparities, invest in social87 determinants of health, and provide comprehensive support to im prove maternal health88 outcomes for mothers in Georgia.89 SECTION 2-2.90 Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended in Article 191 of Chapter 2A, relating to the Department of Public Health gene rally, by repealing Code92 Section 31-2A-19, relating to pilot program for home visitation during pregnancy and early93 H. B. 925 - 4 - 25 LC 60 0091 childhood, reporting, and funding requirement, and enacting a new Code Section 31-2A-1994 to read as follows:95 "31-2A-19.96 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:97 (1) 'Distant site' means a site at which an obstetric provider is located while providing98 healthcare services by means of telemedicine, which may include the home of such99 obstetric provider.100 (2) 'Limited maternity care county' means a county in this state that has fewer than two101 hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care or fewer than 60 obstetric providers per102 10,000 births.103 (3) 'Maternity care desert' means a county in this state that does not have a hospital or104 birth center offering obstetric care or an obstetric provider.105 (4) 'Obstetric provider' means a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse106 who is licensed to practice obstetrics and gynecology in this state.107 (5) 'Telemedicine' means the use of electronic information and telecommunications108 technologies that include, at minimum, audio and video equipment to enable two-way,109 real-time interactive communication between a patient and an ob stetric provider at a110 distant site, which services are compliant with federal Health Insurance Portability and111 Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy, security, and breac h notification rules. 112 Such term shall include audio-only, telephone communication onl y when two-way,113 real-time audio-visual communication is unavailable to or inaccessible by the patient or114 is infeasible, impractical, or otherwise not medically advisabl e, as determined by the115 obstetric provider providing telemedicine services to the patient.116 (6) 'Virtual prenatal care' means at-home prenatal healthcare for a pregnant woman117 provided by an obstetric provider facilitated through the use o f telemedicine and118 home-monitoring devices or other equipment, as deemed appropriate by such obstetric119 provider. Such term includes consultations and monitoring, including, but not limited to,120 H. B. 925 - 5 - 25 LC 60 0091 monitoring for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; mental health evaluations;121 nutritional evaluations; and guidance on personal care.122 (b) The department shall develop, implement, and conduct a three-year pilot program to123 provide virtual prenatal care to pregnant women in limited mate rnity care counties and124 maternity care deserts to improve birth outcomes and to decrease maternal morbidity and125 mortality. The pilot program shall begin on July 1, 2026, and shall provide up to five126 virtual prenatal care visits for each eligible p regnant woman. Such eligibility shall be127 established based on criteria, terms, and conditions as determi ned by the department, in128 coordination with the Department of Community Health.129 (c) No later than July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the130 Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Pres ident of the Senate, and131 the chairpersons of the House Committee on Public Health and th e Senate Health and132 Human Services Committee a detailed written report on the effec tiveness of the pilot133 program. The final report shall additionally include recommend ations, if any, as to the134 expansion or permanency of the pilot program and any proposed changes to such program135 relative to such recommendations.136 (d) The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary137 to implement and effectuate the provisions of this Code section.138 (e) This Code section shall be contingent upon appropriations made by the General139 Assembly specifically for the department for the purposes set forth in this Code section and140 shall stand repealed by operation of law on December 1, 2029."141 SECTION 2-3.142 Said title is further amended by adding new Code sections to read as follows:143 "31-2A-21.144 (a) For purposes of this Code section, the term:145 H. B. 925 - 6 - 25 LC 60 0091 (1) 'Limited maternity care county' means a county in this state that has fewer than two146 hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care or fewer than 60 obstetric providers per147 10,000 births.148 (2) 'Maternity care desert' means a county in this state that does not have a hospital or149 birth center offering obstetric care or an obstetric provider.150 (3) 'Obstetric provider' means a physician or advanced practice registered nurse licensed151 to practice obstetrics and gynecology in this state.152 (4) 'Postpartum care' means healthcare for a woman for a period of one year following153 a birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Such term includes physiological154 assessments, mental health evaluations, nutritional evaluations, and guidance on personal155 and newborn care. Such term includes at least four visits with an obstetric provider as156 follows:157 (A) An initial visit within 24 hours of a birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death;158 (B) A follow-up visit within the first three weeks postpartum;159 (C) A follow-up visit within the first eight weeks postpartum;160 (D) A comprehensive visit no later than 12 weeks postpartum; and161 (E) Intermediary and ongoing care as needed.162 (b) The department shall develop, implement, and conduct a three-year pilot program for163 the purpose of providing postpartum care through mobile health clinics in limited maternity164 care counties and maternity care deserts, beginning on July 1, 2026. The department, in165 coordination with the Department of Community Health, shall establish eligibility criteria,166 terms, and conditions for such pilot program.167 (c) No later than July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the d epartment shall submit a168 detailed written report on the effectiveness of the pilot progr am to the Governor, the169 Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the chairpersons170 of the House Committee on Public Health and the Senate Health a nd Human Services171 Committee. The final report shall additionally include recommendations, if any, as to the172 H. B. 925 - 7 - 25 LC 60 0091 expansion or permanency of the pilot program and any proposed c hanges to the pilot173 program relative to such recommendations.174 (d) This Code section shall be contingent upon appropriations made by the General175 Assembly specifically for the department for the purposes set forth in this Code section and176 shall stand repealed by operation of law on December 1, 2029.177 31-2A-22.178 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:179 (1) 'Eligible participant' means a pregnant or postpartum woman who meets the income180 eligibility guidelines set forth by the Georgia WIC (Women, Inf ants, and Children)181 program, as of July 1, 2025.182 (2) 'Group prenatal care' means a structured class designed for pregnant women provided183 in a supportive group setting and based on an evidence based mo del that is focused on184 equipping pregnant women with essential prenatal knowledge and skills, including, but185 not limited to, labor and delivery preparation, breastfeeding, lactation, and newborn care.186 (3) 'Group postpartum care' means a structured class designed for postpartum women187 provided in a supportive group setting focused on equipping such women with essential188 knowledge and skills for the postpartum period, including, but not limited to, physical189 recovery, nutrition, emotional well-being, maternal mental heal th, newborn care, and190 lactation support. With respect to postpartum women separated from their newborns due191 to child welfare intervention or any other cause, such term includes counseling sessions192 and any consultative sessions related to providing reunification assistance.193 (4) 'Postpartum woman' means a woman up to 12 months after the end of a pregnancy.194 (b) Subject to available funding, the department shall develop, implement, and conduct a195 program to provide group prenatal care and group postpartum care to eligible participants,196 whether in-person or online. Such program shall begin on July 1, 2026, and shall provide197 H. B. 925 - 8 - 25 LC 60 0091 up to five group prenatal care visits and up to five group post partum care visits for each198 eligible participant at no cost to such participant.199 (c) Any person providing group prenatal care or group postpartum care under the program200 shall have completed the appropriate training, as determined by the department.201 (d) No later than June 30, 2027, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the202 Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Pres ident of the Senate, and203 the chairpersons of the House Committee on Public Health and th e Senate Health and204 Human Services Committee a detailed report on the effectiveness of the program and205 recommendations, if any, as to proposed legislation to improve such program.206 (e) The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary207 to implement and effectuate the provisions of this Code section.208 31-2A-23.209 (a) As used in this article, the term:210 (1) 'Healthcare professional' means a physician or other healthcare practitioner licensed,211 accredited, or certified to perform specified physical, mental, or behavioral healthcare212 services consistent with his or her scope of practice under the laws of this state.213 (2) 'Implicit bias' means a bias in judgment or behavior that results from subtle cognitive214 processes, including implicit prejudice and implicit stereotype s that often operate at a215 level below conscious awareness and without intentional control.216 (3) 'Implicit prejudice' means prejudicial negative feelings or beliefs about a group that217 a person holds without being aware of them.218 (4) 'Implicit stereotypes' means the unconscious attributions of particular qualities to a219 member of a certain social group. Implicit stereotypes are influenced by experience and220 are based on learned associations between various qualities and social categories,221 including race or gender.222 H. B. 925 - 9 - 25 LC 60 0091 (5) 'Perinatal care' means the provision of care during pregna ncy, labor, delivery, and223 postpartum and neonatal periods.224 (6) 'Perinatal facility' means a hospital, clinic, or birthing center that provides perinatal225 care.226 (7) 'Pregnancy related death' means the death of a woman while pregnant or within 365227 days of the end of a pregnancy, irrespective of the duration or site of the pregnancy, from228 any cause related to, or aggravated by, the pregnancy or its ma nagement, but not from229 accidental or incidental causes.230 (b) Every perinatal facility in this state shall implement an evidence based implicit bias231 program for all healthcare professionals involved in the perina tal care of patients within232 such facility.233 (c) An implicit bias program implemented pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section234 shall include:235 (1) Identification of previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation;236 (2) Identification of personal, interpersonal, institutional, structural, and cultural barriers237 to inclusion;238 (3) Corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the inter personal and institutional239 levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose;240 (4) Information on the effects, including, but not limited to, ongoing personal effects, of241 historical and contemporary exclusion and oppression of minority communities;242 (5) Information about cultural identity across racial or ethnic groups;243 (6) Information relative to communicating more effectively across identities, including244 racial, ethnic, religious, and gender identities;245 (7) Discussion on power dynamics and organizational decision making;246 (8) Discussion on health inequities within the perinatal care field, including information247 on how implicit bias impacts maternal and infant health outcomes;248 H. B. 925 - 10 - 25 LC 60 0091 (9) Perspectives of diverse, local constituency groups and exp erts on particular racial,249 identity, cultural, and provider-community relations issues in the community; and250 (10) Information on reproductive justice.251 (d)(1) A healthcare professional shall complete initial basic training through the implicit252 bias program based on the components described in subsection (c) of this Code section.253 (2) Upon completion of the initial basic training, a healthcare professional shall complete254 a refresher course under the implicit bias program every two ye ars thereafter, or on a255 more frequent basis if deemed necessary by the perinatal facility, in order to keep current256 with changing racial, identity, and cultural trends and best pr actices in decreasing257 interpersonal and institutional implicit bias.258 (e) Each perinatal facility in this state shall provide a certificate of training completion to259 another perinatal facility or a training attend ee upon request. A perinatal facility may260 accept a certificate of completion from another perinatal facil ity to satisfy the training261 requirement provided for in this Code section from a healthcare professional who works262 in more than one perinatal facility.263 (f) If a healthcare professional involved in the perinatal car e of patients is not directly264 employed by a perinatal facility, the facility shall offer the training to such healthcare265 professional.266 31-2A-24.267 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'maternal near-miss ' means a woman who268 survived a near-death complication occurring during a pregnancy , during childbirth, or269 within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy.270 (b) The department shall create a comprehensive public awarene ss campaign targeting271 women located in rural and underserved communities to increase awareness about maternal272 health by developing and making available on the department's w ebsite educational273 H. B. 925 - 11 - 25 LC 60 0091 materials and support resources. Such materials and resources shall include, but shall not274 be limited to:275 (1) Information on prenatal care, including, but not limited to, nutrition, the importance276 of prenatal care visits, what to expect during such visits, and key prenatal screenings;277 (2) Information on common causes of maternal near-misses and strategies to reduce the278 risk of severe maternal morbidity;279 (3) Information on postpartum care, including, but not limited to, nutrition, physical280 recovery, and newborn care; and281 (4) A geographically indexed guide on government funded, free, and low-cost services282 available to support pregnant and postpartum women, including, but not limited to,283 healthcare services, educational classes and peer support group s for prenatal and284 postpartum care, mental health counseling services, transportation assistance programs,285 and food assistance programs which shall include a description of the services offered286 and contact information.287 (c) The department shall maintain a comprehensive webpage on its website dedicated to288 maternal health that includes all educational materials and support resources identified or289 created pursuant to this Code section."290 SECTION 2-4.291 Said title is further amended by adding a new article to read as follows:292 "ARTICLE 4293 31-2A-70.294 As used in this article, the term:295 (1) 'Advisory committee' or 'committee' means the Regional Perinatal Center Advisory296 Committee established pursuant to Code Section 31-2A-71.297 H. B. 925 - 12 - 25 LC 60 0091 (2) 'Regional perinatal center' means a specially qualified ho spital identified by the298 department and designated to a specific geographic region to lead collaboration between299 hospitals and providers to increase the likelihood that deliver ies are performed in a300 hospital with an appropriate level of care for mothers and infants.301 31-2A-71.302 (a) There is established the Regional Perinatal Center Advisory Committee for the purpose303 of considering and making recommendations to the commissioner concerning the addition,304 reduction, or transition of regional perinatal centers in this state. The committee shall305 advise the commissioner on the estimated costs to the department necessary to implement306 such recommendations.307 (b) The Regional Perinatal Center Advisory Committee shall be composed of not less308 than 11 nor more than 21 members to be appointed by the commissioner, who shall appoint309 one of such members to serve as chairperson. All appointments to the committee shall be310 for a term of four years. A member shall serve until his or he r successor has been duly311 appointed. The commissioner may reappoint any member.312 (c) The advisory committee shall meet upon the call of the chairperson.313 (d) Beginning on July 1, 2026, and every four years thereafter , the department, in314 conjunction with the advisory committee, shall assess and make recommendations to the315 commissioner on the adequacy of the regional perinatal system a nd consider hospital or316 labor and delivery closures. Such assessment shall evaluate whether:317 (1) Perinatal facilities in each region are equipped and prepared to stabilize infants and318 mothers before transport;319 (2) Coordination exists between maternity care in each region and regional perinatal320 centers;321 (3) All identified high-risk pregnancies and deliveries are pr omptly evaluated in322 consultation with regional perinatal centers and referred to th e appropriate designated323 H. B. 925 - 13 - 25 LC 60 0091 regional perinatal center for the proper management and treatment of such conditions as324 needed;325 (4) An adequate transport system is available in the region for the transfer of high-risk326 mothers and infants and specifically considers:327 (A) The distance and travel time between referring hospitals a nd regional perinatal328 centers;329 (B) The types of vehicles used for transport and whether a need exists for additional330 vehicles; and331 (C) The need for upgraded vehicles and transport equipment; and332 (5) Each regional perinatal center provides:333 (A) Consultation for patients requiring special services, including transport;334 (B) Coordination and assurance of follow-up medical care for maternal and neonatal335 patients requiring special services;336 (C) Educational support to ensure quality care in institutions involved in perinatal337 healthcare in the region;338 (D) An annual education plan with all birthing centers in the region;339 (E) Compilation and analysis of perinatal data from the center and referring hospitals;340 and341 (F) Coordination of perinatal health services within the region.342 (e) When changes to the regional perinatal centers are approved by the department after343 recommendation by the advisory committee, the department shall submit to the Office of344 Planning and Budget prior to the General Assembly's next legisl ative session a budget345 request seeking appropriations to implement such changes.346 31-2A-72.347 To be designated as a regional perinatal center a hospital shall notify the department of the348 following:349 H. B. 925 - 14 - 25 LC 60 0091 (1) Such hospital's ability to meet the standards for regional perinatal centers;350 (2) Any additional funding necessary to bring such hospital up to the standards for351 regional perinatal centers;352 (3) Any special planning problems in such hospital's perinatal region, including, but not353 limited to, transportation, shortage of facilities, and personnel;354 (4) A description of perinatal care currently being provided; 355 (5) A description of services that can be provided by the center in patient care, education,356 and consultation to hospitals within the perinatal region; and357 (6) Any other information requested by the department.358 31-2A-73.359 Beginning on July 1, 2026, and every four years thereafter, the department shall present to360 the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate361 a plan for the designated perinatal centers in every region of the state. Such plan shall362 include funding considerations to aid hospitals in meeting the standards and for continuing363 requirements, including, but not limited to, patient care, prof essional education, training364 programs, and physical facilities.365 31-2A-74.366 The department shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regu lations to carry out the367 purposes of this article."368 SECTION 2-5.369 Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, is amended in370 Chapter 1, relating to general provisions, by adding a new Code section to read as follows:371 "33-1-28.372 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:373 H. B. 925 - 15 - 25 LC 60 0091 (1) 'Maternal mental health screening' means the use of an independent, evidence based374 screening instrument that is in accordance with nationally reco gnized clinical practice375 guidelines developed by independent organizations or medical pr ofessional societies376 utilizing a transparent methodology and reporting structure and with a conflict-of-interest377 policy. Such guidelines establish standards of care informed by a systematic review of378 evidence and an assessment of the benefits and risks of alterna tive care options and379 include recommendations intended to optimize patient care.380 (2) 'Medically necessary' shall have the same meaning as set f orth in Code Section381 33-1-27.382 (3) 'Mental healthcare provider' means any person licensed und er Title 43 to provide383 prenatal, labor and delivery, or postpartum care, including without limitation physicians,384 psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice registered nurs es, physician assistants,385 licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors and marriage and386 family therapists.387 (4) 'Telehealth services' means services provided via two-way, real-time interactive388 communication between a patient and a mental healthcare provide r at a distant site389 through telecommunications equipment, which services are compliant with federal Health390 Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) pr ivacy, security, and391 breach notification rules.392 (b) Each health benefit policy issued, delivered, or renewed i n this state shall provide393 coverage for medically necessary:394 (1) Maternal mental health screening during the prenatal perio d and 12 months395 postpartum; and396 (2) Care and treatment for those screenings positive for mater nal mental health397 conditions.398 (c) All services provided for in this Code section shall be co vered whether provided in399 person or through telehealth services.400 H. B. 925 - 16 - 25 LC 60 0091 (d) The provisions of this Code section shall apply to all pol icies, contracts, and401 certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on402 or after January 1, 2026."403 SECTION 2-6.404 Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to social services, is amended405 in Article 7 of Chapter 4, relating to medical assistance gener ally, by adding new Code406 sections to read as follows:407 "49-4-159.5.408 (a) Except in cases where the woman refuses a maternal mental health screening as409 provided for in Code Section 33-1-28, a pregnant or postpartum woman seeking healthcare410 from a physician or other healthcare provider shall be screened for perinatal mood and411 anxiety disorders, as determined necessary:412 (1) At the pregnant woman's first prenatal visit;413 (2) When the pregnant woman is from 28 through 32 weeks' gestation;414 (3) Between delivery and discharge from the facility where the pregnant woman gives415 birth;416 (4) At the woman's six-week postpartum obstetrical visit;417 (5) If there is a pregnancy loss and at the follow-up obstetric visit after such loss; and418 (6) At a pediatric visit occurring when the infant is three months of age or, if there is no419 such visit, at the postpartum woman's healthcare visit any time from three months to one420 year after pregnancy loss or delivery.421 (b) The right to refuse the mental health screening described in subsection (a) of this Code422 section shall not exist for a patient determined by the physician or other healthcare provider423 to be mentally incompetent.424 (c)(1) The maternal mental health screening provided for in subsection (a) of this Code425 section shall be conducted by the physician or other healthcare provider who is providing426 H. B. 925 - 17 - 25 LC 60 0091 prenatal, obstetric, or postpartum care of the pregnant woman o r pediatric care of the427 woman's infant, as deemed necessary by such physician or health care provider. Each428 such screening shall utilize questionnaires that conform with n ationally recognized429 clinical practice guidelines and shall be used for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment,430 appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of a woman's mental health, well-being,431 disease, or condition as supported by medical and scientific evidence.432 (2) Additional maternal mental health screenings, which may be refused, may be433 conducted at any other point during the pregnancy or the postpartum period as deemed434 necessary by the physician or other healthcare provider. Appropriate referral information435 and resources addressing perinatal mood or anxiety disorders sh all be provided during436 such screenings.437 (d) A physician or other healthcare provider who provides obstetric or pediatric care shall438 provide educational materials through electronic or other means on the signs and symptoms439 of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to pregnant and postpartum women under his or440 her care, or to mothers of children under his or her care, as d eemed necessary by such441 physician or healthcare provider.442 (e) The provisions of this Code section shall not preclude any other healthcare provider443 acting within his or her scope of practice from screening for m aternal mental health444 conditions or from providing referral information and resources or educational materials445 on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.446 (f) Relative to maternal mental health screenings, the departm ent shall establish a447 comprehensive quality metrics program that includes:448 (1) Process measures, including, but not limited to:449 (A) Percentage of eligible patients screened at each required interval;450 (B) Time from positive screen to first behavioral health contact;451 (C) Completion rates for referrals to behavioral health services; and452 (D) Utilization rates of telehealth services;453 H. B. 925 - 18 - 25 LC 60 0091 (2) Outcome measures, including, but not limited to:454 (A) Rates of postpartum depression and anxiety identification;455 (B) Emergency department utilization for mental health concerns;456 (C) Psychiatric hospitalization rates; and457 (D) Duration of treatment engagement;458 (3) Equity measures, including, but not limited to:459 (A) Screening and treatment rates stratified by race, ethnicity, and geographic location;460 and461 (B) Disparities in access to care and outcomes; and462 (4) Patient experience measures, including, but not limited to:463 (A) Satisfaction with screening process;464 (B) Perceived barriers to care; and465 (C) Experiences with telehealth services.466 (g) No later than January 1, 2026, the department shall establish a three-year pilot program467 for remote maternal mental health screening and monitoring. Such program shall:468 (1) Prioritize high-risk populations and rural communities;469 (2) Include telehealth services;470 (3) Integrate with existing maternal health programs, including home visiting services;471 and472 (4) Collect data on program effectiveness and barriers to care.473 (h) The department may allocate sufficient funds for the pilot program provided for in474 subsection (g) of this Code section to support:475 (1) Technology infrastructure and support;476 (2) Provider training and technical assistance; and477 (3) Program evaluation and reporting.478 (i) The department shall:479 (1) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this Code section;480 H. B. 925 - 19 - 25 LC 60 0091 (2) Establish a process for monitoring compliance; and481 (3) Report annually to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the House482 Committees on Health and Public Health on the implementation progress and outcomes483 of the requirements of this Code section.484 (j) The annual report provided in subsection (i) of this Code section shall be required from485 July 1, 2026, through July 1, 2028.486 (k) To implement the provisions of this Code section, the depa rtment shall, when487 necessary, submit a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request to the United States488 Department of Health and Human Services.489 49-4-159.6.490 (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to advance matern al health outcomes by491 recognizing doula care as part of the maternal healthcare workforce. Doula care has been492 associated with Medicaid cost savings of around $1,000.00 per birth, a decreased likelihood493 of cesarean delivery, a reduced need for an epidural during labor, lower preterm birth rates,494 improved rates of breastfeeding, shorter births, reduced rates of perinatal mood and anxiety495 disorders, increased positive feelings about the birth experien ce, and feelings of496 empowerment about individual pregnancy outcomes.497 (b) As used in this Code section, the term 'doula' means a pro fessional who provides498 physical, emotional, and informational support to clients before, during, and after childbirth499 to help them achieve a healthy and satisfying birth experience and who has completed the500 appropriate training, as determined by the department.501 (c) The department shall develop, implement, and conduct a one -year pilot program to502 provide Medicaid coverage for doula care for pregnant Medicaid recipients. Beginning on503 July 1, 2026, such pilot program may provide reimbursement for up to five doula visits for504 each pregnant Medicaid recipient, which may include visits for prepartum care, labor and505 delivery, and postpartum care.506 H. B. 925 - 20 - 25 LC 60 0091 (d) No later than December 1, 2027, the department shall submi t to the Governor, the507 President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairpersons508 of the House Committee on Health, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the509 House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Appropriations Committee a detailed510 written report on the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program. Such report511 shall include the health outcomes of participants and recommendations on the best process512 of reimbursing doulas to promote retention in the perinatal workforce. Such report shall513 also include recommendations, if any, as to expansion or permanency of the pilot program514 and any proposed changes to the program relative to such recommendations.515 (e) The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary516 to implement and effectuate the provisions of this Code section.517 (f)(1) This Code section shall be contingent upon appropriatio ns made by the General518 Assembly specifically for the department for the purposes set forth in this Code section.519 (2) This Code section shall terminate on December 31, 2027, and this Code section shall520 be repealed by operation of law on such date."521 PART 3.522 Social Determinants in Maternal Health523 SECTION 3-1.524 Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended in Article 1525 of Chapter 1, relating to general provisions, by adding a new Code section to read as follows:526 "31-1-26.527 (a) The department, through its Division of Public Health, sha ll, to the extent that state528 funds are available for such purpose, expand the Georgia WIC (W omen, Infants, and529 Children) program, established in accordance with Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act530 H. B. 925 - 21 - 25 LC 60 0091 of 1966, 42 U.S.C. Section 1786, to cover children who have had their fifth birthday but531 have not yet attained their sixth birthday.532 (b) This Code section shall become effective on July 1, 2026, only if prior to such date,533 funds are specifically appropriated by the General Assembly for the department for the534 purposes set forth in this Code section."535 SECTION 3-2.536 Said title is further amended in Article 1 of Chapter 2A, relating to the Department of Public537 Health generally, by adding a new article to read as follows:538 "ARTICLE 5539 31-2A-90.540 As used in this article, the term:541 (1) 'Early childhood services program' means a program that offers services designed to542 support the development and well-being of infants and toddlers, including, but not limited543 to, early intervention, early learning, childcare, or parenting education.544 (2) 'Early intervention' means services and support for infant s and toddlers with545 developmental delays, chronic health conditions, and disabilities and their families. Such546 term includes early identification and screening of infants and toddlers for such547 developmental delays, conditions, and disabilities.548 (3) 'Eligible program' means an early childhood services program or an essential support549 services program.550 (4) 'Essential support services program' means a program that offers housing assistance,551 food assistance, or nonemergency medical transportation service s to pregnant and552 postpartum women in this state.553 H. B. 925 - 22 - 25 LC 60 0091 (5) 'Grant program' means the Supporting Healthy Moms Grant Pr ogram established554 pursuant to Code section 31-2A-91.555 (6) 'Infant' or 'toddler' means a child under three years of age.556 (7) 'Parenting education' means courses designed for parents of infants and toddlers to557 enhance parenting skills and knowledge taught by educators possessing the appropriate558 qualifications, certifications, experience, as determined by the department.559 (8) 'Postpartum woman' means a woman up to one year after the end of pregnancy.560 (9) 'Qualified sponsor' means a nonprofit organization incorporated in this state with a561 tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;562 or governmental sponsor of a program that meets the conditions of this Code section.563 31-2A-91.564 (a) Subject to available funding, the department shall establi sh the Supporting Healthy565 Moms Grant Program to provide grant funding, on an annual basis, to qualified sponsors566 of eligible programs in this state that provide services focused on advancing and addressing567 social determinants of maternal health and that provide early childhood services.568 (b) The department shall oversee the grant program and is authorized to contract with an569 external organization to implement and administer such grant program.570 31-2A-92.571 To be considered for a grant under the grant program, a qualified organization shall:572 (1) Have a primary mission of advancing maternal health, addressing social determinants573 of maternal health, or providing early childhood services;574 (2) Have a system of financial accountability consistent with generally accepted575 accounting principles, including an annual budget;576 (3) With respect to a nonprofit organization, have a board tha t hires and supervises a577 director who manages the organization's operations;578 H. B. 925 - 23 - 25 LC 60 0091 (4) Have provided services under an eligible program for a minimum of one year;579 (5) Provide free services under an eligible program; and580 (6) Maintain confidentiality of all data, files, and records of clients related to the services581 provided and in compliance with state and federal laws.582 31-2A-93.583 (a) The commissioner shall approve each grant or expenditure o f money from the grant584 program.585 (b) The commissioner's decision on the granting of funds from the grant program to586 qualified sponsors shall be based on a competitive selection process.587 (c) The grant program may be used for expenditures related to the routine administration588 of the program; provided, however, that, in any given year, exp enditures for the routine589 administration of the grant program may not exceed 10 percent o f the total amount of590 money available in the grant fund.591 (d) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and reg ulations as necessary to592 implement and administer the provisions of this article.593 594 31-2A-94.595 Not later than November 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to596 the Governor and the General Assembly a report on the financial status of the grant597 program and a summary of its operations for the preceding year."598 SECTION 3-3.599 Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations,600 is amended in Chapter 2, relating to Department of Labor, by revising paragraph (5) of and601 by adding a new paragraph to subsection (a) of Code Section 34- 2-6, relating to specific602 powers and duties of the Commissioner of Labor, to read as follows:603 H. B. 925 - 24 - 25 LC 60 0091 "(3.1) To make investigations, collect and compile statistical information, and report604 upon the conditions and matters relating to the enforcement and effect of Chapter 5B of605 this title and of the rules issued thereunder and to receive and resolve complaints related606 to such chapter in accordance with the rules and regulations issued thereunder;"607 "(5) To do all in his or her power to promote the voluntary arbitration, mediation, and608 conciliation of disputes between employers and employees and to avoid strikes,609 picketing, lockouts, boycotts, blacklisting, discriminations, a nd legal proceedings in610 matters of employment. In pursuance of this duty, the Commissi oner may appoint611 temporary boards of arbitration, provide necessary expenses of such boards, order612 reasonable compensation not exceeding $15.00 per day for each member engaged in such613 arbitration, prescribe rules for such arbitration boards, condu ct investigations and614 hearings, publish in print or electronically reports and advertisements, and do all things615 convenient and necessary to accomplish the purpose of this chap ter and Chapter 5B of616 this title. The Commissioner may designate a mediator and may, from time to time, detail617 employees or persons not in the department to act as his or her assistants for the purpose618 of executing such provisions. Employees of the Department of L abor shall act on619 temporary boards without extra compensation. Nothing in this C ode section or in this620 chapter shall be construed to prohibit or limit in any way empl oyees' rights to bargain621 collectively;"622 SECTION 3-4.623 Said title is further amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows:624 "CHAPTER 5B625 34-5B-1.626 As used in this chapter, the term:627 H. B. 925 - 25 - 25 LC 60 0091 (1) 'Employer' means any person or entity that employs one or more employees and shall628 include the state and its political subdivisions.629 (2) 'Pregnancy' means medical needs arising from pregnancy, ch ildbirth, or related630 conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation.631 (3) 'Reasonable accommodations' shall include, but shall not be limited to, more frequent632 or longer breaks, time off to recover from childbirth, acquisit ion or modification of633 equipment, seating, temporary transfer to a less strenuous or h azardous position, job634 restructuring, light duty, break time and private nonbathroom space for expressing breast635 milk, assistance with manual labor, or modified work schedules.636 (4) 'Undue hardship' means an action requiring significant difficulty or expense, when637 considered in light of the factors set forth in Code Section 34-5B-4.638 34-5B-2.639 (a) It shall constitute an unfair employment practice for an employer, unless such employer640 can demonstrate that an undue hardship on such employer's progr am, enterprise, or641 business would result, to:642 (1) Fail or refuse to make a reasonable accommodation to a job applicant or employee643 for circumstances related to pregnancy, if such job applicant or employee so requests;644 (2) Take adverse action against a job applicant or an employee who requests or uses an645 accommodation;646 (3) Deny employment opportunities to a job applicant or employ ee, if such denial is647 based on the need of the employer to make reasonable accommodat ions to such job648 applicant or employee for circumstances related to pregnancy;649 (4) Require a job applicant or employee affected by pregnancy to accept an650 accommodation that such job applicant or employee chooses not to accept;651 (5) Require an employee to take leave if another reasonable ac commodation can be652 provided to such employee for circumstances related to pregnancy;653 H. B. 925 - 26 - 25 LC 60 0091 (6) Count an absence related to pregnancy against an employee under a no fault654 attendance policy; or655 (7) Fail to reinstate such employee to such employee's original job or to an equivalent656 position with equivalent pay and accumulated seniority, retirement, fringe benefits, and657 other applicable service credits when such employee's need for reasonable658 accommodations ceases.659 (b) The employer shall in good faith engage in a timely and interactive process with the660 job applicant or employee to determine effective reasonable accommodations.661 (c)(1) An employer shall provide written notice of the right t o be free from662 discrimination in relation to pregnancy to:663 (A) New employees at the commencement of employment;664 (B) Existing employees within 120 days after the effective date of this chapter; and665 (C) Any employee who notifies such employer of her pregnancy w ithin ten days of666 such notification.667 (2) Such notice shall be conspicuously posted at an employer's place of business in an668 area accessible to employees and shall be available in English and other languages669 commonly spoken in such employer's place of business.670 34-5B-3.671 The employer shall have the burden of proving undue hardship. In making a determination672 of undue hardship, the factors that may be considered include, but shall not be limited to:673 (1) The nature and cost of the accommodation;674 (2) The overall financial resources of the employer, the overall size of the business of the675 employer with respect to the number of employees, and the number, type, and location676 of its facilities; and677 (3) The effect on expenses and resources or the impact otherwise of such accommodation678 upon the operation of the employer.679 H. B. 925 - 27 - 25 LC 60 0091 34-5B-4.680 (a) Any individual who is aggrieved by an unfair employment pr actice against such681 individual in violation of this chapter may institute a civil a ction against the persons682 engaged in such prohibited conduct. Such action may be maintai ned in any court of683 competent jurisdiction and shall be commenced no later than one year after the alleged684 prohibited conduct occurred.685 (b) The court may grant as relief, as it deems appropriate, an y permanent or temporary686 injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, includ ing, but not limited to, the687 hiring or reinstatement of the plaintiff to such individual's original position or an equivalent688 position. The court may award to the plaintiff back pay. The court may award court costs689 and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party.690 34-5B-5.691 The Department of Labor shall develop courses of instruction and conduct ongoing public692 education efforts as necessary to inform employers, employees, employment agencies, and693 job applicants about their rights and responsibilities under this chapter.694 34-5B-6.695 The Commissioner of Labor shall promulgate rules and regulation s as are necessary to696 implement and effectuate the provisions of this chapter.697 34-5B-7.698 This chapter shall not be construed to preempt, limit, diminish , or otherwise affect any699 other provision of law relating to sex discrimination or pregna ncy or in any way to700 diminish the coverage for pregnancy under any other provision of this title."701 H. B. 925 - 28 - 25 LC 60 0091 SECTION 3-5.702 Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, is703 amended in Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8, relating to genera l provisions regarding state704 sales and use tax, by revising paragraph (58) of Code Section 48-8-3, relating to exemptions705 from sales and use taxes, as follows:706 "(58) The sale or use of diapers Reserved;"707 PART 4.708 Maternal Health Data Collection, Research, and Innovation709 SECTION 4-1.710 Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended in Article711 1 of Chapter 2A, relating to general provisions regarding the Department of Public Health,712 by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 31-2A-16, relating to Maternal Mortality Review713 Committee established, as follows:714 "(d)(1) Health care Healthcare providers licensed pursuant to Title 43, health care715 healthcare facilities licensed pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title 31 this title, and pharmacies716 licensed pursuant to Chapter 4 of Title 26 shall provide reason able access to the717 committee to all relevant medical records associated with a cas e under review by the718 committee within 30 days of receiving a request for such record s, unless prohibited by719 state or federal law.720 ( 2 ) A h e a l t h c a r e healthcare provider, health care healthcare facility, or pharmacy721 providing access to medical and psychiatric records pursuant to this Code section shall722 not be held liable for civil damages or be subject to any crimi nal or disciplinary action723 for good faith efforts in providing such records."724 H. B. 925 - 29 - 25 LC 60 0091 SECTION 4-2.725 Said title is further amended in said article by adding a new Code section to read as follows:726 "31-2A-16.1.727 (a) There is established within the department a Severe Matern al Morbidity Review728 Committee to collect and track data on severe maternal morbidit y and study and make729 recommendations on strategies to reduce severe maternal morbidity. The committee shall730 be multidisciplinary and composed of members as deemed appropriate by the department. 731 The committee may contract with an external organization to assist in collecting, analyzing,732 and disseminating severe maternal morbidity information, organi zing and convening733 meetings of the committee, and conducting other tasks as may be incident to these734 activities.735 (b) The committee shall, in coordination with the Maternal Mortality Review Committee:736 (1) Collect and track medical records and other relevant data on severe maternal737 morbidity, including, but not limited to, all of the following health conditions:738 (A) Obstetric hemorrhage;739 (B) Hypertension;740 (C) Preeclampsia and eclampsia;741 (D) Venous thromboembolism;742 (E) Sepsis;743 (F) Cerebrovascular accident; and744 (G) Amniotic fluid embolism;745 (2) Collect and track data on pregnancy related deaths, includ ing, but not limited to,746 deaths relative to the conditions provided in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of747 paragraph (1) of this subsection, indirect obstetric deaths, and other maternal disorders748 predominantly related to pregnancy and complications predominan tly related to the749 postpartum period;750 (3) Consult with relevant experts to evaluate collected records and data;751 H. B. 925 - 30 - 25 LC 60 0091 (4) Develop and make recommendations regarding reducing severe maternal morbidity;752 (5) Disseminate findings and recommendations regarding reducin g severe maternal753 morbidity; and754 (6) Not later than July 1, 2026, complete a study on:755 (A) Reducing severe maternal morbidity, including, but not limited to, all of the health756 conditions set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragr aph (1) of this757 subsection; and 758 (B) Identifying more effective methods for the early detection of, and interventions for,759 other pregnancy related medical conditions that can lead to an increased risk of severe760 maternal morbidity, including, but not limited, to hyperemesis gravidarum.761 (c)(1) Healthcare providers licensed pursuant to Title 43, healthcare facilities licensed762 pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title 31, and pharmacies licensed pursuant to Chapter 4 of Title763 26 shall provide reasonable access to the committee to all rele vant medical records764 associated with a case under review by the committee within 30 days of receiving a765 request for such records.766 (2) A healthcare provider, healthcare facility, or pharmacy providing access to medical767 records pursuant to this Code section shall not be held liable for civil damages or be768 subject to any criminal or disciplinary action for good faith e fforts in providing such769 records.770 (d)(1) Information, records, reports, statements, notes, memor anda, or other data771 collected pursuant to this Code section shall not be admissible as evidence in any action772 of any kind in any court or before any other tribunal, board, a gency, or person. Such773 information, records, reports, statements, notes, memoranda, or other data shall not be774 exhibited nor their contents disclosed in any way, in whole or in part, by any officer or775 representative of the department or any other person, except as may be necessary for the776 purpose of furthering the review of the committee of the case t o which it relates. No777 H. B. 925 - 31 - 25 LC 60 0091 person participating in such review shall disclose, in any mann er, the information so778 obtained except in strict conformity with such review.779 (2) All information, records, reports, statements, notes, memo randa, or other data780 obtained by the department, the committee, and other persons, agencies, or organizations781 so authorized by the department pursuant to this Code section shall be confidential.782 (e)(1) All proceedings and activities of the committee under this Code section, opinions783 of members of such committee formed as a result of such proceedings and activities, and784 records obtained, created, or maintained pursuant to this Code section, including785 information, records, reports, statements, notes, memoranda, or other data procured by786 the department or any other person, agency, or organization act ing jointly or under787 contract with the department in connection with the requirements of this Code section,788 shall be confidential and shall not be subject to Chapter 14 of Title 50, relating to open789 meetings, or Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, relating to o pen records, or subject to790 subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding;791 provided, however, that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to limit or restrict792 the right to discover or use in any civil or criminal proceeding anything that is available793 from another source and entirely independent of the committee's proceedings.794 (2) Members of the committee shall not be questioned in any civil or criminal proceeding795 regarding the information presented in or opinions formed as a result of a meeting or796 communication of the committee; provided, however, that nothing in this Code section797 shall be construed to prevent a member of the committee from testifying to information798 obtained independently of the committee or which is public information.799 (f)(1) The data on severe maternal morbidity and on pregnancy related deaths collected800 pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of this Co de section shall be801 compiled on a regular basis for distribution. Beginning no later than October 1, 2026, the802 committee shall submit a detailed annual report to the Office o f Health Strategy and803 Coordination as follows:804 H. B. 925 - 32 - 25 LC 60 0091 (A) The data shall be aggregated by state regions, as defined by the department, to805 ensure the data reflect how regionalized care systems are or should be collaborating to806 improve maternal health outcomes or other smaller regional sorting based on standard807 statistical methods for accurate dissemination of public health data without risking a808 confidentiality or other disclosure breach; and809 (B) The data shall be disaggregated by racial and ethnic identity.810 (2) On or before December 1, 2026, the committee shall submit to the Governor, the811 Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the S enate, and the812 chairpersons of the House Committee on Public Health and the Senate Health and Human813 Services Committee a report regarding the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (6) of814 subsection (b) of this Code section, including a summary of the committee's key findings815 and recommendations, if any, for proposed legislation with respect to improving maternal816 health outcomes.817 (g) Paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of this Code section shall stand repealed by operation818 of law on December 31, 2026."819 SECTION 4-3.820 Said title is further amended in Article 1 of Chapter 53, relat ing to general provisions821 regarding the Office of Health and Strategy and Coordination by revising subsection (a) of822 Code Section 31-53-6, relating to compiling of reports and public dissemination of data, as823 follows:824 "31-53-6.825 (a) The office shall compile reports received from the followi ng boards, commissions,826 committees, councils, and offices pursuant to each such entity' s respective statutory827 reporting requirements:828 (1) The Maternal Mortality Review Committee;829 (2) The Severe Maternal Morbidity Review Committee;830 H. B. 925 - 33 - 25 LC 60 0091 (2)(3) The Hemophilia Advisory Board;831 (3)(4) The Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness;832 (4)(5) The Georgia Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council;833 (5)(6) The Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission;834 (6)(7) The Behavioral Health Coordinating Council;835 (7)(8) The Department of Public Health on behalf of the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke836 Registry;837 (8)(9) The Office of Cardiac Care; and838 (9)(10) The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission."839 SECTION 4-4.840 Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mental health, is amended in841 Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 3, relating to rights and privil eges as to manner of care and842 treatment and as to maintenance and release of clinical records, by revising paragraphs (9)843 and (10) of and by adding a new paragraph to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-166,844 relating to treatment of clinical records, when release permitt ed, scope of privileged845 communications, liability for disclosure, and notice to sheriff of discharge, to read as follows:846 "(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary , a law enforcement847 officer in the course of a criminal investigation may be informed as to whether a person848 is or has been a patient in a state facility, as well as the pa tient's current address, if849 known; and850 (10) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrar y, a law enforcement851 officer in the course of investigating the commission of a crim e on the premises of a852 facility covered by this chapter or against facility personnel or a threat to commit such853 a crime may be informed as to the circumstances of the incident, including whether the854 individual allegedly committing or threatening to commit a crime is or has been a patient855 H. B. 925 - 34 - 25 LC 60 0091 in the facility, and the name, address, and last known whereabouts of any alleged patient856 perpetrator; and857 (11) Copies of the record of a deceased patient or deceased fo rm er patient m ay be858 released to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee and the Severe Maternal Morbidity859 Review Committee established under Chapter 2A of Title 31, exce pt for matters860 privileged under the laws of this state."861 SECTION 4-5.862 Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating public officers and employees,863 is amended in Article 2 of Chapter 16, relating to death investigations, by revising subsection864 (b) of Code Section 45-16-24, relating to notification of suspicious or unusual deaths, court865 ordered medical examiner's inquiry, and written report of inquiry, as follows: 866 "(b) A coroner or county medical examiner who is notified of a death pursuant to867 subsection (a) of this Code section under circumstances specifi ed in paragraphs (1)868 through (9) (10) of such subsection shall order a medical examiner's inquiry of that death. 869 A coroner or medical examiner who is notified of a death pursuant to subsection (a) of this870 Code section under circumstances specified in paragraph (10) of such subsection and which871 death was not under circumstances specified in paragraphs (1) t hrough (9) of such872 subsection shall order a medical examiner's inquiry for such de ath through a regional873 perinatal center, as identified by the Department of Public Health. This subsection shall874 not be construed to prohibit a medical examiner's inquiry of a death if a coroner or county875 medical examiner is notified of a death under circumstances specified in paragraph (11) of876 subsection (a) of this Code section."877 H. B. 925 - 35 - 25 LC 60 0091 PART 5.878 SECTION 5-1.879 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.880 H. B. 925 - 36 -