2508. Newborn health and safe sleep pilot program. There shall be established in the department, by the commissioner, a newborn health and safe sleep pilot program designed to reduce infant mortality rates across the state. Through the pilot program, the commissioner shall provide baby boxes or other products aimed at encouraging safe sleep practices and other sudden infant death syndrome prevention measures in areas of greatest need, such as counties or areas with high infant mortality rates, or counties or areas with poor birth outcomes. For purposes of this section, "baby boxes" shall mean boxes lined with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet such that it can serve as a safe sleep place for a newborn, and shall contain newborn infant care essentials aimed at promoting safe sleeping practices and reducing sudden infant death syndrome, as well as items to encourage safe and healthy habits for families transitioning to parenting. Such boxes or other products may vary by region, in the discretion of the commissioner, to meet the needs of the relevant community. The department shall pursue available funding options and make efforts to establish a public-private partnership with organizations that promote such causes or manufacture such products in order to seek to obtain donations for these purposes.
The department shall be responsible for monitoring the quality, appropriateness and effectiveness of the program and shall report to the legislature within one year of the effective date of this section on the program's effectiveness.
Last modified: February 3, 2019