Reps. Klarides-Ditria, Chaleski Applaud New Law Increasing Access to Maternal Health Services Statewide

State Representatives Rachel Chaleski (R-138) and Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) today joined Governor Lamont and state and local officials for a bill signing to provide stronger protections and options for women’s maternal health, including allowing free-standing birth centers to now operate in Connecticut.

“This piece of legislation will pave the way for a new maternal health service option for women, an out-of- hospital facility, staffed by midwives and doulas,” Rep. Chaleski said. “The Connecticut Childbirth & Women’s Center, the only free-standing birth center like it in the state, offers a choice to families. Women come from New York, Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut for these services. I support this new law as a mother, whose children were born right across the street.  I can attest to the amazing care of doula services, and hope this will lead to new increased access to those services as well as to licensed birthing centers elsewhere in Connecticut soon. I’m proud that Danbury serves as a model for these efforts. This is a wonderful option for families who prefer a homelike setting compared to a hospital.”

Approved unanimously in both the House and Senate, Public Act 23-147 – An Act Protecting Maternal Health – allows the Department of Public Health (DPH) to create a new license category for freestanding birth centers; establishes an Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and data on infant deaths; establishes an Infant Mortality Review Committee to conduct a comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of infant deaths; requires DPH establish an 18- member Doula Advisory and certification program administered; requires DPH to create a midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care, and requires the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) commissioner implement a statewide universal nurse home visiting services program for all families with newborns living in the state.                

“With passage of this law, Connecticut continues its strong tradition of national leadership on women’s healthcare issues and providing strong support and protections for women’s maternal health,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria, Bipartisan Women’s Caucus co-chair, and Ranking Member of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, said. “By working together, the legislature and the governor have taken steps to make sure these important protections are enshrined into state law and will continue to provide access to critical services for women for decades to come.  I want to thank the governor for his consistent support for the women and mothers of our state.”

The legislation is Public Act 23-147. It was approved by unanimous votes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.