(A) As used in this section:

(1) “Certified nurse-midwife,” “certified nurse practitioner,” and “clinical nurse specialist” have the same meanings as in section 4723.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) “Physician” means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731 of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(3) “Physician assistant” means an individual authorized under Chapter 4730 of the Revised Code to practice as a physician assistant.

(B) The department of health shall establish a grant program to address the provision of prenatal health care services to pregnant women on a group basis. The aim of the program is to increase the number of pregnant women who begin prenatal care early in their pregnancies and to reduce the number of infants born preterm.

(C)(1) An entity seeking to participate in the grant program shall apply to the department of health in a manner prescribed by the department. Participating entities may include the following:

(a) Medical practices, including those operated by or employing one or more physicians, physician assistants, certified nurse-midwives, certified nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists;

(b) Health care facilities.

(2) To be eligible to participate in the grant program, an entity must demonstrate to the department that it can meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Has space to host groups of at least twelve pregnant women;

(b) Has adequate in-kind resources, including existing medical staff, to provide necessary prenatal health care services on both an individual and group basis;

(c) Provides prenatal care based on either of the following:

(i) The centering pregnancy model of care developed by the centering healthcare institute;

(ii) Another model of care acceptable to the department.

(d) Integrates health assessments, education, and support into a unified program in which pregnant women at similar stages of pregnancy meet, learn care skills, and participate in group discussions;

(e) Meets any other requirements established by the department.

(D) When distributing funds under the program, the department shall give priority to entities that are both of the following:

(1) Operating in areas of the state with high preterm birth rates, including rural areas and Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, and Summit counties;

(2) Providing care to medicaid recipients who are members of the group described in division (B) of section 5163.06 of the Revised Code.

(E) A participating entity may employ or contract with licensed dental hygienists to educate pregnant women about the importance of prenatal and postnatal dental care.

(F) The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code.