SB 669 (McGuire, D-San Rafael)

SB 669 would require the California Department of Public Health to establish a five-year pilot program allowing qualified critical access hospitals and individual, small system rural hospitals to operate standby perinatal units. To qualify for participation in the pilot program, hospitals must be greater than 60 minutes from the nearest hospital providing full maternity services, not have closed a full maternity or labor and delivery unit on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and agree to provide level 1 basic and neonatal services. CHA is actively working with Pro Tem Mike McGuire’s office to ensure the policy effectively addresses the complex factors driving maternity ward closures while facilitating practical implementation for hospitals.

Assembly Health Committee Support Letter