This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for the National Academy of Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study. The study will examine how various forms of violence and trauma, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and reproductive coercion, impact the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, including intimate partner homicide. It will specifically investigate whether these factors increase the risk of suicide, homicide, substance use, and poor birth outcomes among pregnant and postpartum persons, and consider them as social determinants of health, with a particular focus on diverse communities and adolescent mothers. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program, authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award funds to eligible entities for developing and implementing innovative approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes for victims of these forms of violence and trauma. These approaches may include culturally relevant public and provider education campaigns , cultural bias training , and anti-racism strategies . Priority for grants will be given to applicants addressing violence and mental health among pregnant persons, those at risk of pregnancy due to violence, and postpartum individuals experiencing violence, especially within diverse racial, cultural, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. The Secretary is also required to report to Congress on best practices every three years, with $15,000,000 authorized annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. Finally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services publish and disseminate guidance to states, tribes, healthcare providers, and managed care entities within two years of enactment. This guidance will focus on developing protocols for universal education on healthy relationships , routine assessment of intimate partner violence and mental health conditions , and strategies for trauma-informed care plans . It will also promote the creation of sustainable partnerships between healthcare providers and community-based organizations that address domestic violence and related issues.
This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for the National Academy of Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study. The study will examine how various forms of violence and trauma, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and reproductive coercion, impact the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, including intimate partner homicide. It will specifically investigate whether these factors increase the risk of suicide, homicide, substance use, and poor birth outcomes among pregnant and postpartum persons, and consider them as social determinants of health, with a particular focus on diverse communities and adolescent mothers. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program, authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award funds to eligible entities for developing and implementing innovative approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes for victims of these forms of violence and trauma. These approaches may include culturally relevant public and provider education campaigns , cultural bias training , and anti-racism strategies . Priority for grants will be given to applicants addressing violence and mental health among pregnant persons, those at risk of pregnancy due to violence, and postpartum individuals experiencing violence, especially within diverse racial, cultural, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. The Secretary is also required to report to Congress on best practices every three years, with $15,000,000 authorized annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. Finally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services publish and disseminate guidance to states, tribes, healthcare providers, and managed care entities within two years of enactment. This guidance will focus on developing protocols for universal education on healthy relationships , routine assessment of intimate partner violence and mental health conditions , and strategies for trauma-informed care plans . It will also promote the creation of sustainable partnerships between healthcare providers and community-based organizations that address domestic violence and related issues.