(a) As used in this section and section 19a-59i, “maternal death” means the death of a woman while pregnant or not later than one year after the date on which the woman ceases to be pregnant, regardless of whether the woman’s death is related to her pregnancy, and “department” means the Department of Public Health.

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(b) There is established, within the department, a maternal mortality review program. The program shall be responsible for identifying maternal death cases in Connecticut and reviewing medical records and other relevant data related to each maternal death case, including, but not limited to, information collected from death and birth records, files from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and physician office and hospital records.

(c) Licensed health care providers, health care facilities and pharmacies shall provide the maternal mortality review program, established under this section with reasonable access to all relevant medical records associated with a maternal death case under review by the program.

(d) A hospital shall provide the department with access, including remote access, to the entirety of a patient’s medical record, as the department deems necessary, to review case information related to a maternal death case under review by the program. Such remote access shall be provided on or before October 1, 2022, if technically feasible. All personal information obtained from the medical record shall not be divulged to anyone and shall be held strictly confidential pursuant to section 19a-25 by the department.

(e) All information obtained by the department for the maternal mortality review program shall be confidential pursuant to section 19a-25.

(f) Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, the department may provide the maternal mortality review committee, established pursuant to section 19a-59i, with information as is necessary, in the department’s discretion, for the committee to make recommendations regarding the prevention of maternal death.