HF4115

Purpose

To strengthen and standardize education for parents, caregivers, and health professionals about the dangers of shaking infants and young children, and to fund these educational activities.

Key Provisions

• Hospitals must provide a video about the dangers of shaking infants and young children to parents of every newborn before discharge.
• The video must be obtained from the state commissioner or be approved by the commissioner; hospitals may obtain copies at cost. The commissioner can review other videos for approval upon request.
• Hospitals may not be required to use videos that would impose royalties or other costly restrictions.
• At least one parent (ideally both) must view the video before discharge; hospitals should try to have both view the video when possible.
• A safety/protection provision states that distributing the video in good faith cannot subject a person or facility to damages or other relief.
• The commissioner will establish a protocol for health care providers to educate parents and primary caregivers about the dangers of shaking infants and young children.

Education by Health Care Providers (Well-Baby Visits)

• The commissioner will identify, approve, and make available educational materials for family practice physicians, pediatricians, and other pediatric primary care providers to use at well-baby visits.
• Providers must review these dangers and use the protocol and materials at each well-baby visit for infants up to age one, and for children up to age three, at every well-baby visit.
• The protocol and materials must be reviewed by July 1, 2031, and at least every five years thereafter to ensure accuracy and relevance, with updates as needed.

Periodic Review of Videos

• Beginning July 1, 2026, and every five years thereafter, the commissioner must review the videos provided or approved under the hospital education subdivision.
• The commissioner will seek input from individuals and organizations with expertise on preventing shaken infants and children.
• After each review, videos that do not address all essential topics or do not provide accurate information will be removed from the approved set.

Funding (Appropriation)

• In fiscal year 2027, funding from the general fund is appropriated to the commissioner of health to support these activities, including approving and providing educational videos to hospitals and identifying, approving, and making available educational materials for use at well-baby visits.

Schedule & Implementation Notes

• Video reviews and updates begin July 1, 2026, with subsequent reviews every five years.
• The protocol and materials for well-baby visits must be reviewed and updated by July 1, 2031, and then every five years.

Impact and Rationale

• Creates a standardized, ongoing approach to educate parents and caregivers about the dangers of shaking infants and young children.
• Ensures hospital-based and primary care-based education is consistent, up-to-date, and evidence-informed.
• Provides statutory protection for educational activities conducted in good faith.
• Establishes state funding to support video production, distribution, and provider education materials.

Relevant Terms - shaking - infants - young children - hospital - video - commissioner - approved video - at cost - royalties - good faith - well-baby visits - family practice physicians - pediatricians - primary care providers - parents - caregivers - protocol - materials - appropriation - general fund - fiscal year 2027 - Minnesota Statutes 144.574 - prevention - education - content review - accuracy - input from experts - removal of videos