Legislative findings

The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Georgia ranks as the forty-ninth worst in the nation for the number of maternal deaths occurring during and one year after pregnancy; (2) Georgia ranks as the thirty-second worst in the nation for the number of infant deaths occurring before the first birthday; (3) Georgia ranks as the forty-fifth worst in the nation for the percentage of premature births, a leading cause of infant deaths; (4) Low birth weight or premature infants are more likely to survive if the birth takes place in a facility which is prepared to handle the risks associated with such deliveries; (5) Several states have established programs to inspect and designate facilities that have developed the capacity to provide expanded levels of neonatal and maternal care; and (6) Therefore, it is in the best interest of the residents of this state to establish a program that encourages the improvement of quality of care to create better maternal and neonatal outcomes. History. — Code 1981, § 31-2A-50, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 344, § 1/HB 909; Ga. L. 2019, p. 1056, § 31/SB 52. The 2019 amendment, effective May 12, 2019, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, revised language in paragraph (1). 31-2A-51. Definitions.