Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that parents of newborn infants are educated on how to recognize and report physical abuse. This is intended to help prevent and address abuse cases in infants by increasing awareness among parents and guardians.

Main Provisions

• Mandatory Education: Hospitals and birth centers in Minnesota are required to provide parents with written educational materials about recognizing signs of physical abuse in infants.

• Material Approval: These educational materials must be approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. The commissioner has the responsibility to either provide suitable materials or review materials submitted by hospitals and birth centers for this purpose.

• Distribution Timing: Parents must receive these materials before their newborn is discharged from the hospital or birth center.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new requirement for hospitals and birth centers under Minnesota Statutes chapter 144. It mandates the distribution of educational materials about infant physical abuse, which previously was not required by law.

Relevant Terms

• Physical abuse
• Infant health
• Educational materials
• Hospitals
• Birth centers
• Minnesota Commissioner of Health
• Newborn discharge