ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                           H.B. 981

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2003.

May 22, 2003

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have
vetoed House Bill 981 - Maternal Mortality Review Program - Termination Provision
- Repeal.

This bill repeals the termination provision of the Maternal Mortality Review
Program.

Senate Bill 688, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House
Bill 981.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

House Bill No. 981

AN ACT concerning

Maternal Mortality Review Program - Termination Provision - Repeal

FOR the purpose of repealing the termination provision of the Maternal Mortality
Review Program; and generally relating to the Maternal Mortality Review
Program.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Chapter 74 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2000
Section 2

Preamble

WHEREAS, The General Assembly found in 2000 that maternal deaths were a
serious public health concern that had a tremendous family and societal impact and
that maternal deaths were significantly underestimated and inadequately
documented, preventing efforts to identify and reduce or eliminate the causes of
death; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly also found in 2000 that the State did not
have a process for the confidential identification, investigation, or dissemination of

- 3859 -