SUMMARY

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a multidisciplinary panel to review maternal and infant death cases in this State. This panel, in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, chapter 1071, subchapter 11-A, provides the panel with authority to gain access to relevant data including medical, public health, social service and mental health records and ensures that proceedings and records in the possession of the panel remain confidential and exempt from subpoena and legal discovery. The bill also permits the panel to contact families of the deceased to request additional information and offer grief support resources.