A. The "maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity review committee" is created in the department. The committee shall be composed of a maximum of twenty-five members that the chief medical officer shall appoint to serve three-year terms. In appointing members of the committee, the chief medical officer shall appoint members from geographic areas throughout the state with knowledge of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, including representatives of hospitals and other birthing facilities; obstetrical providers; nursing providers; the office of the state medical investigator; the department; representatives of an association of perinatal health care providers that work in a perinatal health care collaborative; and other professionals that the chief medical officer deems appropriate.

B. Committee members shall serve terms of three years; provided that the initial members' terms shall be staggered in accordance with department rules. The secretary of health shall call the first meeting, at which the committee shall elect a chair. Thereafter, the committee shall meet at the call of the chair.

C. Committee members shall serve without any compensation or perquisite arising from their service.

D. The committee shall:

(1) review each maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity incident in the state related to each maternal mortality, using the de-identified case summary that the subcommittee provides;

(2) investigate and review incidents of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity;

(3) outline trends and patterns relating to maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the state;

(4) compile reports, using aggregate data based on the cases that the department identifies for reporting. The committee shall compile these reports on an annual basis in an effort to further study the causes and problems associated with maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity and distribute these reports to the legislature, government agencies, health care providers and others as necessary to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the state. These reports shall include recommendations to assist health care providers in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity;

(5) serve as a link with maternal mortality and morbidity review teams nationwide and participate in national maternal mortality and morbidity review team activities; and

(6) perform any other functions as resources allow to enhance efforts to reduce and prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the state.

History: Laws 2019, ch. 41, § 3.

Effective dates. — Laws 2019, ch. 41 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 2019, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.