This legislation significantly updates the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by replacing outdated terms like "drug abuse" with the more accurate and less stigmatizing phrase "substance use disorder" throughout the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. These amendments aim to modernize the program's language and approach to better serve participants. The bill also refines educational content, shifting from general "drug abuse education" to specific guidance on the "harm of substance use during pregnancy and lactation" and directing individuals to appropriate resources rather than "drug abuse clinics." A new subsection is added, requiring the Secretary to develop and disseminate evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC-eligible individuals impacted by substance use disorder, including those during pregnancy, postpartum, and for infants with prenatal substance exposure or neonatal abstinence syndrome. This initiative involves collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and includes outreach efforts to potentially eligible individuals. Furthermore, the bill mandates an online clearinghouse for State agencies to access these educational and training materials, authorizing $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to support these crucial activities.
Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2023
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Agriculture and Food
Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3743| House
| Updated: 6/4/2025
This legislation significantly updates the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by replacing outdated terms like "drug abuse" with the more accurate and less stigmatizing phrase "substance use disorder" throughout the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. These amendments aim to modernize the program's language and approach to better serve participants. The bill also refines educational content, shifting from general "drug abuse education" to specific guidance on the "harm of substance use during pregnancy and lactation" and directing individuals to appropriate resources rather than "drug abuse clinics." A new subsection is added, requiring the Secretary to develop and disseminate evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC-eligible individuals impacted by substance use disorder, including those during pregnancy, postpartum, and for infants with prenatal substance exposure or neonatal abstinence syndrome. This initiative involves collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and includes outreach efforts to potentially eligible individuals. Furthermore, the bill mandates an online clearinghouse for State agencies to access these educational and training materials, authorizing $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to support these crucial activities.