​SB 669 requires CDPH to establish a 10-year pilot project by July 1, 2026, allowing up to 5 CAHs that meet specified eligibility requirements to provide “standby perinatal services." The bill defines “standby perinatal services" as the provision of obstetric and neonatal medical care to patients who are transferred from an ABC, or who present to the hospital's emergency department with an urgent or emergent obstetric issue, in a specifically designated area of the hospital that is equipped and maintained at all times to receive patients and capable of providing physician, midwifery, and nursing services within a reasonable time not to exceed 30 minutes.

SB 669 establishes basic eligibility requirements for pilot participation, as well as requirements for the standby perinatal service related to general service capacities/capabilities, service responsibility, policies/procedures and related contracts, staffing, and equipment/supplies. The bill also includes requirements for CDPH regarding development and implementation of the pilot, in consultation with specified stakeholders, and pilot data collection and reporting.

Standards for the development and operation of pilot standby perinatal services will be published, along with the pilot project's application process, by AFL no later than July 1, 2026.

To obtain input from relevant parties regarding the establishment of the pilot project and standby perinatal service standards, CDPH will convene a stakeholder group that will have ongoing participation throughout the pilot development process. If you are interested in participating in the pilot stakeholder meetings, please submit your name, the name of the organization you represent, and your contact information to SB669@cdph.ca.gov indicating your interest.

The information in this AFL is a brief summary of the provisions of SB 669. Facilities are responsible for following all applicable laws. CDPH's failure to expressly notify facilities of statutory or regulatory requirements does not relieve facilities of their responsibility for following all laws and regulations. Facilities should refer to the full text of all applicable sections of HSC and the California Code of Regulations to ensure compliance.

If you have any questions about the pilot project, please contact SB669@cdph.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Original signed by Mandi Posner

Mandi Posner
Deputy Director​