Purpose

Create a one-time, state-funded program to help rural hospitals keep maternity units open by funding training for medical staff. The training is organized as cross-training programs so staff gain the skills needed to provide maternity services in rural settings.

Main Provisions and Goals

• An appropriation is made from the workforce development fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a competitive grant program in fiscal year 2027.
• Grants may be awarded to eligible rural hospitals and to higher education institutions.
• The goal is to develop and deploy cross-training programs that equip medical personnel with the skills necessary to provide rural maternity services and maintain maternity units in rural areas.

Eligible Entities and Activities

• Eligible rural hospitals: nonfederal general acute care hospitals located in a community with a population of less than 30,000, outside the seven-county metropolitan area.
• Activities: development and deployment of cross-training programs to train staff for rural maternity services.

Reporting and Accountability

• By January 15, 2028, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over workforce development and hospitals.
• The report must include:
  • Amount awarded to each grantee
  • Number of staff trained and their occupations
  • Feedback from grantees about the grant’s impact and suggestions for improvement
  • The number and amount of grant requests that were not fulfilled
• As a condition of receiving a grant, grantees must provide the commissioner with any information needed to complete the report.

Fiscal Details and Timing

• This is a one-time appropriation.
• The program is funded from the workforce development fund.
• Implementation and reporting are tied to fiscal year 2027 activities and a required report by January 15, 2028.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new one-time competitive grant program and associated reporting requirements to support rural maternity services.
• No ongoing or permanent funding mechanism is specified beyond this one-time appropriation; adds a new reporting obligation for grantees and the commissioner.

Relevant Terms workforce development fund, commissioner of employment and economic development, competitive grant program, rural hospital, maternity training, cross-training programs, nonfederal general acute care hospital, population less than 30,000, seven-county metropolitan area, eligible rural hospitals, higher education institutions, grants, grantees, staff trained, occupation, grant requests not fulfilled, report, January 15, 2028, fiscal year 2027, one-time appropriation.