Maryland § 19-308.10

§ 19-308.10.

    (a)    In this section, “safe sleep environment” means, as described in the most recent American Academy of Pediatrics policy statements, an environment in which a newborn may sleep that reduces the risk of sleep–related infant deaths, including through:

        (1)    The use of supine positioning;

        (2)    The use of a firm, flat sleep surface;

        (3)    The use of room sharing without bed sharing;

        (4)    The avoidance of soft bedding and overheating; and

        (5)    The avoidance of exposure to smoke.

    (b)    (1)    As soon as practicable before a hospital discharges an infant after the birth of the infant, the hospital shall provide oral and written educational resources to the parent or legal guardian on how to provide a safe sleep environment.

        (2)    The oral and written educational resources required under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be supplemented by an educational video.

    (c)    (1)    As soon as practicable before discharging an infant after the birth of the infant, a hospital shall:

            (i)    Ask the infant’s parent or legal guardian to describe the sleep environment that the parent or legal guardian will provide at home;

            (ii)    Inform the parent or legal guardian of the importance of ensuring that the infant has a safe sleep environment and the risks of suffocation and sudden infant death in unsafe sleep environments; and

            (iii)    Document that the educational resources described under subsection (b) of this section and the information described under item (ii) of this paragraph were provided to the parent or legal guardian.

        (2)    The hospital shall provide a list of resources available for the parent or legal guardian to obtain the items necessary to provide a safe sleep environment for the infant.

    (d)    On or before January 1, 2025, each hospital shall establish a process for:

        (1)    Providing each parent or legal guardian with:

            (i)    Oral and written educational resources as required under subsection (b) of this section; and

            (ii)    The information described under subsection (c)(1)(ii) of this section;

        (2)    A parent or legal guardian to confirm the receipt of the educational resources provided under subsection (b) of this section; and

        (3)    Maintaining records of confirmations made under item (2) of this subsection.

    (e)    (1)    On or before January 1, 2025, the Department, in consultation with local health officers, shall develop for distribution to birthing parents and legal guardians a list of resources available by county to obtain the items necessary to provide a safe sleep environment for an infant.

        (2)    Each local health department shall provide an updated list of resources to the Department each year to assist the Department in developing the list of resources required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.