This chapter may be cited as the Alabama Perinatal Health Act.

(a) It is the legislative intent to effect a program in this state of:

(1) Perinatal care in order to reduce infant mortality and handicapping conditions;

(2) Administering such policy by supporting quality perinatal care at the most appropriate level in the closest proximity to the patients' residences and based on the levels of care concept of regionalization; and

(3) Encouraging the closest cooperation between various state and local agencies and private health care services in providing high quality, low cost prevention oriented perinatal care, including optional educational programs.

(b) For the purposes of this chapter, the word 'perinatal' shall include that period from conception to one year post delivery.

The Bureau of Maternal and Child Health under the direction of the State Board of Health shall, in coordination with the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the State Health Coordinating Council, the Alabama Council on Maternal and Infant Health and the regional and State Perinatal Advisory Committees, annually prepare a plan, consistent with the legislative intent of Section 22-12A-2, to reduce infant mortality and handicapping conditions to be presented to legislative health and finance committees prior to each regular session of the Legislature. Such a plan shall include: primary care, hospital and prenatal; secondary and tertiary levels of care both in hospital and on an out-patient basis; transportation of patients for medical services and care and follow-up and evaluation of infants through the first year of life; and optional educational programs, including pupils in schools at appropriate ages, for good perinatal care covered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. All recommendations for expenditure of funds shall be in accord with provisions of this plan.

The Bureau of Maternal and Child Health under the direction of the State Board of Health, and the State Perinatal Advisory Committee representing the regional perinatal advisory committees, shall develop priorities, guidelines and administrative procedures for the expenditures of funds therefor. Such priorities, guidelines and procedures shall be subject to the approval of the State Board of Health.

The Bureau of Maternal and Child Health under the direction of the State Board of Health shall annually present a progress report dealing with infant mortality and handicapping conditions to the Legislative Health and Finance Committees prior to each regular session of the Legislature. No funds of the State Department of Public Health shall be used for the cost of any reports or any function of any of the committees named in Section 22-12A-3.

Available funds will be expended in each geographic area based on provisions within the plan developed in accordance with Section 22-12A-3. Funds when available will be used to support medical care and transportation for women and infants at high risk for infant mortality or major handicapping conditions who are unable to pay for appropriate care. Funds will only be used to provide prenatal care, transportation, hospital care for high risk mothers and infants, outpatient care in the first year of life and educational services to improve such care, including optional educational programs, for pupils in schools at appropriate ages but subject to review and approval by the local school boards involved on an annual basis.