H.R. 3523House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Perinatal Workforce Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 7:57 AM UTC

The Perinatal Workforce Act seeks to grow and diversify the workforce that provides maternity and perinatal care. It directs the Health and Human Services Department to issue state guidance, fund grant programs for training and nursing scholarships, and require studies and reports on culturally respectful care. The bill targets hospitals, health systems, midwifery practices, nursing schools and other providers, emphasizing recruitment of people from racial and ethnic minority groups and service in underserved areas.

Key Provisions

HHS must issue guidance to states within two years on how to recruit and retain diverse maternity care providers—including midwives, perinatal health workers, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and lactation consultants—and promote culturally and linguistically congruent care.
The Secretary must conduct a study and publish a report on best practices for respectful, culturally and linguistically appropriate maternity care, including examples of successful programs and recommendations.
Grants are created for entities to establish or expand accredited programs training physician assistants, perinatal health workers, and midwives; priority is given to programs that recruit minority students, serve health professional shortage areas, and include bias and racism training; grants last up to five years and require annual reporting.
Separate grant authority for schools of nursing to provide scholarships for nurse practitioners, certified nurse‑midwives, and clinical nurse specialists focused on maternal and perinatal health, with similar diversity and shortage‑area priorities and reporting requirements.
The GAO must produce a report every five years on barriers to maternal health education and access, especially for low‑income and minority women, and offer recommendations.
Definitions are added for culturally and linguistically congruent care, maternal mortality, maternity care provider, perinatal health worker, postpartum period, and racial and ethnic minority groups.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

May 19, 2023

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 18, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

May 18, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

May 19, 2023

Floor Debate

17 members

What members said about H.R. 3523 on the floor

+12

5 Republicans12 Democrats

Rep. Virginia FoxxR-NC-5 · Jan 18, 2024

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 969, I call up the bill (H.R. 6914) to require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6914.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise as a mother, a grandmother, and a former college instructor, administrator, and student to support the Pregnant Students' Rights Act.

Mr. Speaker, in debating the tenets of this bill, I keep coming back to the dual mandate that it represents: more educated young women and more healthy babies carried to term.

It reminds me of the two great sources of hope and joy in my personal life, the first of which is education.

I have dedicated my life to helping others get a good education, as I was able to do. A good education is a major element of a good life.

The second great source of hope and joy in my life has been to rear a child. Having children and then grandchildren is the highest calling and truly the ultimate blessing.

Pursuing knowledge and having children: These are two virtues that carry immense social value and should be celebrated. I say should, because as is more often the case, modern society holds them in conflict with one another.

Pregnant students should not be faced with the dilemma that their academic and future success must be sacrificed to an unplanned pregnancy.

Data show carrying a child to term does not have to hinder one's educational journey. As a woman who understands the strength and resilience of other women, I found it unsurprising that student mothers outperformed their childless peers in the classroom.

It is a long-held belief that pregnancy should never be a barrier to a student completing her education. It is a belief enshrined in Title IX, which establishes that universities receiving Federal funds must provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of pregnancy or parental status.

In order to receive Federal funding, campus classroom and education- related activities, from athletics to scholarships to lab work and more, must allow protections and accommodations for pregnant women. That means coaches cannot remove players, universities cannot revoke scholarships, and teachers cannot penalize absences due to medical reasons related to a pregnancy.

Yet, despite the legal equality for pregnant students established under Title IX, a significant challenge persists to informing women of the rights and the resources at their disposal. No expectant mother should be left in the dark.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act seeks to bridge the gap between legal protections and practical awareness. It ensures that universities make information regarding pregnant students' rights and protections accessible through handouts, e-mails, and university websites.

This bill comes at a time when the nontraditional college student is becoming the norm. Over 20 percent of college students are parents, many of whom are single mothers. With more people entering college at every station of life, it is critical that we pass the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. All students should know the rights and protections available to them, including young, pregnant women.

Mr. Speaker, I support the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Hinson), the sponsor of H.R. 6914.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), the chair of the Values Action Team.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am truly puzzled by the other side and some of the comments that are being made about this bill. It is a simple bill. It is not misleading. It is simply aimed at helping pregnant students get the support and information that they need if they are pursuing their education.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle used to be pro-women. I don't know what has happened to them, but, as one of my colleagues here said, pro-life is pro-woman. This bill is pro-women and pro-helping women getting an education. At the same time, they can carry their baby to term.

Now, nothing in this bill prevents a college or university from disseminating information about how to deal with pregnancy-related conditions, including miscarriages. We are not telling the colleges and universities everything that they have to say. We are simply saying you have to inform the students of the services available and the accommodations that need to be made.

All of us should have our hearts go out to women who face difficult pregnancies. We have all known them. My own daughter had four very difficult pregnancies.

I am deeply saddened that a woman and her baby face challenges and acknowledge that, for a pregnant student, these instances must be extremely stressful and sorrowful, but the purpose of this legislation is to tackle an issue unique to pregnant students on college campuses.

Some students are not aware of how they can advocate for themselves to balance student life and motherhood. Colleges and universities must provide reasonable accommodations for these students, such as excused absences and opportunities to make up classwork when a student does have to make frequent medical appointments to take care of herself and her baby.

This bill supports pregnant students, and I believe it deserves our support.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, again, I am aghast. I am just aghast at how this bill is being characterized. It is being called an extreme piece of legislation.

We want pregnant students to be supported on their campuses and to know that they can be supported. It has nothing to do with criminalizing abortions. It has nothing to do with a nationwide abortion ban.

Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle said something about healthy babies. We need pregnant women to have good resources and good healthcare so they can have healthy babies, but they want what they call comprehensive information to women.

What they mean is they want to encourage women to have abortions. And what is an abortion, Mr. Speaker? It is killing babies.

I have said it on the floor before. The word ``abortion'' sounds so clinical, so clean, but we need to say what it is. It is killing babies up to the point of their birth.

This is not an extreme piece of legislation. It is a sensible piece of legislation, and every person in this body should vote for it if you care about life. If you don't care about life, if all you want to do is destroy life, then vote ``no.''

That is the radical side. We are not the radical people. We know we have a culture of life. We have had a culture of life in this country. I fear it is eroding.

Mr. Speaker, this bill deserves the support of every person, particularly every woman, because we all can appreciate what it would be like to be in this situation and not have support.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good), who is a subcommittee chairman for the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, it is hard for me to believe that some of our colleagues have read this bill with the comments that they are making. It is a 5-page bill, basically. Maybe it takes up 7 pages, but that is mostly blank space.

There is nothing about overreach and control in this bill. Our colleagues are saying: Well, you don't provide healthcare. You don't provide food stamps. You don't provide other things.

Let me remind my colleagues that we are the Education and the Workforce Committee. We are in our lane. We are looking after pregnant students. Our job is to deal with education issues.

As I said in the Rules Committee, our colleagues can go to other committees to do these things. We are doing what we should be doing, which is, again, staying in our lane and helping pregnant students. They should know that if they are here as Members of Congress.

I wholeheartedly reject, also, the claim that this bill rolls back any rights of women. Nor does it put undue pressure on anyone other than college administrators to ensure that students are fully informed of their rights.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act ensures that colleges and universities provide information about the rights and accommodations a college must directly offer a mother as she navigates pregnancy and being a parent to her child. Pregnant students deserve equal access to continue their postsecondary education.

I do not understand how connecting a student with information is an attack on any rights. Instead, this bill would decrease the likelihood that a student

is unaware of her opportunities, unlike today, where students may not receive consistent and timely information.

Nowhere in this bill does it prohibit colleges from disseminating any type of information. Nowhere in this bill does it dictate that the information be one-sided.

Since when did it become popular to attack providing information and resources to a mother for taking care of her baby?

Now, let's talk about one-sidedness, which our colleagues are saying. Colleges have been extremely public in support of abortion. Within minutes of the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade, ``one-sided'' press releases were published as if the issue had to do with higher education.

Here is the statement of the University of Michigan president: ``I strongly support . . . abortion services, and I will do everything in my power as president to ensure we continue to provide this critically important care.''

That is one shining example of the overt bias coming straight from the top of the university. I don't think anyone can make the claim that universities are not already pushing a one-sided agenda. However, this bill does not tie the hands of colleges from continuing to relay information, but it sure does ensure the student mothers are supported.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, so now I am truly confused. Our colleagues have come up one after the other and said that this bill is going to bring the end of the world for the ability for women to gain an abortion, which means killing their babies, and now we are told that this bill does nothing and is a do-nothing bill.

If it is a do-nothing bill, then I certainly hope our colleagues will vote for it because I know they have voted for other do-nothing bills on the floor. Maybe they should think of it as a do-nothing bill and all vote for it.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 1\1/2\ minutes.

Madam Speaker, this bill is about supporting pregnant students. There are many resources for pregnant students, both on and off campus. This bill would connect students to these important resources. Many are nonprofit organizations, not just government programs.

In particular, I have heard of inspiring and innovative partnerships between colleges and nonprofit organizations to support student mothers.

For example, Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, has an incredible partnership with a noncampus maternity home, MiraVia. At MiraVia's college residence, expectant mothers are welcomed and provided with a place to live free of charge.

Pregnant students receive a private suite, meals, childcare, diapers, baby clothing and supplies, nursery furniture, life skill classes, personalized guidance to identify additional community resources, and coordination of education and career opportunities.

Belmont Abbey College gives pregnant mothers at MiraVia a full scholarship. This is just one example. I am sure many of my colleagues have more examples of support provided by colleges and universities for students and their babies.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have characterized this bill as radical, extreme, overreaching, and controlling students. There are so many negative things and then a couple have said, well, it does nothing.

It is sort of confusing. Again, if they have read the five-page bill, they would know that their characterizations of the bill are not at all what it is.

It doesn't do things they say they would like it to do, but that is not our role, Madam Speaker. Our role is to work with students on campuses.

I do think they are really confused about the nature of this bill, and I would encourage anybody watching this to read the bill. The bill, let's be crystal clear, is not about political advocacy. Nothing in this bill prevents a college counselor from discussing the full panoply of options available to pregnant students. Nothing in this bill prevents a pregnant college student from making her own decision.

Rather than political stunts, thanks to a Republican majority, this body is focused on real bills that will have a real effect on the real lives of Americans, particularly pregnant women in college. That is a good thing that we are doing, Madam Speaker.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act is yet another one of the bills we have focused on in this Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to its passage. I urge everyone to vote for this bill.

Again, I think if our colleagues on the other side of the aisle care about pregnant women, and particularly pregnant women who are enrolled in college, they would vote for this.

If they don't, then I fear it is an indication that they don't care about women who want to carry their babies to term.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Suzanne BonamiciD-OR-1 · Jan 18, 2024

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6914, the so-called Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This legislation requires institutions of higher…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6914, the so-called Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This legislation requires institutions of higher education to distribute information about some of the rights of and accommodations for pregnant students. I opposed this legislation in committee and do so again today because, among other reasons, what is required in this bill is incomplete and biased by not providing information about comprehensive family planning resources and a full range of reproductive healthcare options for pregnant students.

Additionally, Republican amendments adopted in the committee added controversial misinformation to this bill, including the myth that having an abortion can lead to breast cancer. This claim has been refuted by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

These scare tactics unmasked the true intention of this bill, which is to further the Republican agenda about attacking reproductive healthcare in their attempt to pass a nationwide ban on abortion.

As I mentioned to my Republican colleagues in committee, if you want to encourage pregnancy and childbirth, join with Democrats in passing legislation that will make childcare more affordable, support access to affordable healthcare and affordable housing, expand the Children's Health Insurance

Program, and join the rest of the world in offering paid family leave.

The intent of this bill is clear. It is another attempt to have politicians interfere in the very intensely personal decision of whether and when to have a child, a decision that should be made only by the pregnant student and their healthcare provider, not by judges, and certainly not by Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle truly cared about moms, they would join us in addressing the embarrassingly high maternal mortality rate in this country, which is especially concerning for women of color.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Ross).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in committee, a pregnant student is not just the only one affected. If whomever impregnated the student got some rights and notification about paternity and child support obligations, that might help this information be more complete, but that is not in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I note that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle rejected an amendment to include information about comprehensive reproductive healthcare services.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the dynamic, distinguished, and dedicated Democratic leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Jacobs).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).

Madam Speaker, it is clear from the debate on the bill that what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to happen is for every pregnant student to stay pregnant with consequences long beyond their time in college. That is why it is so important that we fund WIC, healthcare, childcare, and all the other things that are prowomen, prochildren, and profamily. This bill is not.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Minnesota.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from Illinois.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), the Democratic whip.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the ranking member of the full committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I include in the Record a letter from the Coalition for Pregnant and Parenting Students Advocacy, signed by 60 organizations, opposing H.R. 6914 because this legislation ``would not address the key barriers to pregnant students' educational attainment, and instead would further shame and stigmatize people for their pregnancy outcomes.''

January 18, 2024.

Hon. Mike Johnson,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Hakeem Jeffries,

Minority Leader, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries: The Coalition for

Pregnant and Parenting Students Advocacy is a diverse group

of advocates and experts dedicated to advancing civil rights

protections and institutional resources for pregnant and

parenting students. We are joined by the undersigned

organizations in voicing our opposition to H.R. 6914, the

Pregnant Students' Rights Act--a thinly veiled anti-abortion

law which would not address the key barriers to pregnant

students--educational attainment, and instead would further

shame and stigmatize people for their pregnancy outcomes.

This latest bill to ``protect the rights of pregnant

students'' falls far short of the protections that are

actually necessary for pregnant and parenting students and

their children.

Students who are pregnant and/or parents deserve to

complete their education free

from bias and harassment, in environments that support them

on their educational journeys. Unfortunately, pregnant and

parenting students are routinely stigmatized, discriminated

against, and denied the resources, accommodations, and

support they need to thrive in their educational

institutions.

More than 5.4 million college students in the United States

are parents, which is nearly one quarter of undergraduate

students and nearly one third of graduate students. Despite

earning higher GPAs than non-parenting students, parenting

college students are less likely to graduate. This is not due

to personal failing, but rather a lack of institutional

support and recognition of the unique barriers to college

completion for parenting students. Pregnant and parenting

students often experience feeling disconnected from the

larger education community and are not aware of who they can

speak to when they experience discrimination because of their

pregnancy or parenting status.

The proposed bill relies on anti-abortion language and

seeks to limit students' reproductive healthcare decisions.

This type of language is part of a deliverate strategy by the

anti-abortion movement to further legal grounds for a

national abortion ban now that th Supreme Court has

overturned the constitutional right to abortion care as

established in Roe v. Wade. Furthermore, the bill language

contrasts with existing legal protections for pregnant

students experiencing a range of outcomes related to their

pregnancies.

Our belief in personal autonomy and respect for every

person's capacity to make their own decisions--including

whether to continue their pregnancy or not--is at the core of

our work to support pregnant and parenting students. This

bill does not contain any meaningful supports that would

actually help pregnant and parenting students be able to

remain enrolled and meet their educational goals.

Such supports are critically needed, and include:

Strengthened Title IX protections; Nondiscrimination

protection at the state and local level; Accessible and

affordable child care, and increased funding for on-campus

child care; Access to early education and pre-kindergarten

services; Transportation access; Basic needs security

(including food, housing, clothing, etc.); Flexible school

attendance policies; Lactation accomodations; Less stigma and

shame around young parenthood; Increased accountability

measure for institutions who fail to protect pregnant and

parenting students; Federal funding to support campus Title

IX offices' work to prevent and investigate discrimination

against pregnant students; Mandatory data collection on

students' parenting statuses. Student Parent Outcomes Act of

2023, which would allow essential data collection on the

barriers to college graduation for pregnant and parenting

students. But sweeping legislation is necessary to ensure

that pregnant and parenting students and their families

are protected.

Although pregnant and parenting students face many

roadblocks, they can thrive when their educational

institutions listen to them, support them, and prevent

discrimination against them. While balancing their health,

caregiving responsibilities, and educational goals is

challenging, these added responsibilities often renew

students' dedication to their studies. While the decision to

parent and/or continue pregnancy is a personal one, the

barriers that pregnant and parenting students face are not.

This proposed bill would reinforce structural and

institutional bias and scrutiny of the decisions students

make regarding their personal lives.

We welcome the opportunity to have an open dialogue with

the sponsors of the ``Pregnant Students' Rights Act'' and

with any other members of Congress who are ready to step up

as the champion that pregnant and parenting students in our

nation need and deserve.

Sincerely,

The Coalition for Pregnant and Parenting Students Advocacy:

A Better Balance; Generation Hope; Healthy Teen Network;

Institute for Women's Policy Research; Justice and Joy

National Collaborative; National Women's Law Center; New

America Higher Education Program; Pregnant Scholar Initiative

at the Center for WorkLife Law; UNITE-LA.

Joined by:

Advocates for Youth; American Association of University

Women; American Federation of Teachers; American Humanist

Association; BreastfeedLA; California Women's Law Center;

Center for Freethought Equality; Center for Reproductive

Rights; Clearinghouse on Women's Issues; Colorado Teen Parent

Collaborative; End Rape On Campus; Equal Rights Advocates;

Family Equality; Feminist Majority Foundation; Guttmacher

Institute.

Hadassah; Harvard Law School; If/When/How: Lawyering for

Reproductive Justice; Indivisible, Ipas; League of Women

Voters of the United States; Legal Momentum, The Women's

Legal Defense and Education Fund; Michigan Organization on

Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH); National Asian Pacific

American Women's Forum; National Association of Nurse

Practitioners in Women's Health; National Association of

Social Workers; National Center for Lesbian Rights; National

Center for Parent Leadership, Advocacy and Community

Empowerment; National Center for Transgender Equality;

National Council of Jewish Women; National Education

Association; National Family Planning & Reproductive Health

Association; National Latina Institute for Reproductive

Justice.

National Network to End Domestic Violence; National

Partnership for Women & Families; National Women's Health

Network; National Women's Political Caucus; Partners in

Abortion Care; Physicians for Reproductive Health; Planned

Parenthood Federation of America; Positive Women's Network-

USA; Power to Decide; Public Justice; Reproductive Freedom

for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America); SIECUS: Sex Ed

for Social Change; Southeast Asia Resource Action Center;

Stop Sexual Assault in Schools; The Hope Center at Temple

University; Union for Reform Judaism; Women of Reform

Judaism; Won't She Do It; YWCA USA.

Madam Speaker, the so-called Pregnant Students' Rights Act does nothing to strengthen pregnant students' existing protections and freedoms, and it leaves pregnant students in the dark about their rights under Federal civil rights law.

In fact, when committee Democrats tried to include information that would meaningfully support pregnant and parenting students in our committee's markup, Republicans voted down our amendments.

Democrats submitted amendments that would have included information about programs that promote the health and well-being of mothers and children, such as Medicaid and WIC. Coincidentally, these are the very programs Republican appropriators are right now actively working to roll back and defund.

The bill provides partial information, but no help. That is why dozens of health and reproductive rights organizations, the National Women's Law Center, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and the American Civil Liberties Union have stated that H.R. 6914, ``falls far short of the protections that are actually necessary for pregnant and parenting students and their children.''

In fact, I have a bill to get students information about their SNAP eligibility. I wish we were doing that right now.

Madam Speaker, college is hard enough already, and we should do our part to ensure that all pregnant students have the resources they need to succeed. The legislation before us does nothing to achieve that goal.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeD-TX-18 · Jan 18, 2024

Madam Speaker, I am here today to speak in opposition to the proposed legislation, H.R. 69l4, Pregnant Student's Rights Act. This bill requires higher education institutions that participate in…

Madam Speaker, I am here today to speak in opposition to the proposed legislation, H.R. 69l4, Pregnant Student's Rights Act.

This bill requires higher education institutions that participate in federal education programs to disseminate information on the rights and resources afforded to prospective, full- and part-time students who are pregnant or may become pregnant to encourage them to carry their pregnancy to term.

These institutions would be required to share this information by email at the start of each academic year, in student handbooks, at each orientation for enrolled students, at student health and counseling centers, and on the school's website.

A list of anti-abortion ``findings'' in the bill insinuate that women who have an abortion are at risk of developing mental health issues, abusing drugs and alcohol, and becoming suicidal.

Amendments in committee offered to make it clear that schools are still allowed to disseminate information on access to sexual and reproductive health services and the rights, protections, and accommodation afforded to students under Title IX, were voted down by Republicans on the Committee.

Additionally, it must be noted that this harmful bill is a futile attempt that will be vetoed by this Administration.

As we know, the Administration strongly opposes H.R. 69l4.

As highlighted in the White House Statement of Administrative Policy (SAP), the Administration clearly stated its opposition to H.R. 69l4 in its current form.

Existing federal civil rights laws have long prohibited discrimination against students on the basis of pregnancy and related conditions, and institutions of higher education are already required to provide reasonable modifications to pregnant students--from modified class schedules to medical leave.

The Administration stated that it will continue taking action to ensure that students know their rights under federal law and have access to the comprehensive, evidence-based information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health care.

I stand with the Administration in stating that we remain committed to supporting the security, health, and well-being of women and families across the country, and I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to make this commitment as well.

I have long supported pregnant people, especially those who are facing the challenges of being pregnant while being a student.

Many students enrolled at an institution of higher learning face unplanned pregnancies and face pressures of either getting an abortion or face academic failure.

According to national statistics, 1 in 5 college students have children, one of the many identified barriers that can make it difficult for students to complete a certificate or credential.

Most student parents are women and more than 2 in 5 are single mothers.

While teenage birth rates have declined significantly across the country in recent decades, Texas remains above the national average, consistently ranking in the top 10 states.

Out of all births in Texas, around 6 percent were teen births in 2019 and 2020.

And a startling proportion of teenagers who gave birth in Texas in 2020--more than 1 in 6--already had at least one other child.

Texas does not require high schools to teach sex education, and the vast majority that do focus on sexual abstinence.

The state has a complicated maze of requirements for teenagers seeking birth control and is currently operating under the strictest abortion laws in the country.

During this Congress, I have co-sponsored many pieces of legislation that are in support of pregnant people's rights.

Bills that endorse full-term pregnancies, such as the Mommies ACT (H.R. 6004) which seeks improve Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for low-income mothers, as well as the Perinatal Workforce Act (H.R. 3523) which strives to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, and for other purposes.

Students currently have insufficient tools to proactively manage their own maternal health and decisions.

For these reasons, namely, to encourage, protect, and support pregnant students across the nation, I am committed to speaking up for the rights of students and pregnant people and confronting the issues that affect them.

I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 69l4 because this bill contradicts our nations long standing fight and advancements in protecting all students and reproductive rights for all Americans.

Rep. Ashley HinsonR-IA-2 · Jan 18, 2024

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Foxx for her leadership in stewarding this bill through committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. When…

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Foxx for her leadership in stewarding this bill through committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act.

When Roe v. Wade was rightfully overturned last year, the next chapter of the pro-life movement began, and we were all given a new opportunity to strengthen our support for unborn babies and new moms.

As a mom of two, this issue is personal to me. When you are pregnant, there are a million questions going through your head. From doctors' appointments to new financial responsibilities, pregnant students have so much on their plate as they work to balance school with having a healthy pregnancy.

Unfortunately, many women on college campuses are pressured into having an abortion and told they must choose between having their baby and continuing their education, despite Title IX protections in place.

Under Title IX, pregnant students have the right to stay in school, finish their education, and achieve their career goals. However, academic disparity exists due to the lack of resources, support, and tools for pregnant students.

These women may fear institutional reprisal, a loss of athletic scholarship, or negative impacts on their academic opportunity, and standing.

These fears and anxieties are not only unjust to women, but they are really a poor reflection of how our higher education institutions treat pregnant students. These institutions have a responsibility to empower all of their students to succeed, including pregnant students.

There are many organizations that provide physical and emotional support for new and soon-to-be moms, and pregnant students should know about these resources on college campuses. They deserve to be treated with respect and to be surrounded with care and love.

I have visited pregnancy resource centers in Iowa. I have met with those who have dedicated themselves to the cause of life, many of whom have traveled to Washington, D.C., to the March for Life this weekend.

It has been inspiring to me to see the pro-life community spring into action to help expecting moms and their babies to thrive. That is what this movement is really all about: recognizing the sanctity of every life and valuing life at every stage.

Pregnant students bravely balance the responsibilities of bringing a new life into this world while simultaneously continuing their pursuit of a bright future through education. It is crucial for pregnant students to know that they have people standing behind them, that they have resources available to them, and that they are entitled to accommodations on campus.

Being able to complete your education as a mother is not only empowering for the student, but it is vital to ensuring that the unborn child has the best possible future ahead.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act amends the Higher Education Act to require education institutions at the higher level to distribute information about the rights of pregnant students and the resources available to them at the school via their student handbooks, via email, websites, and during orientations. It also strengthens procedures for students to be able to file complaints and pursue accountability if their rights to these accommodations are violated.

It is deeply troubling to me that the Biden administration is so dug in on their pro-abortion agenda that they would oppose providing pregnant women on college campuses with resources to continue their education and have a healthy pregnancy. They don't even want them to have this information or know that they have options other than abortion.

I hope my colleagues across the aisle will vote to empower pregnant women and support this vital, life-affirming legislation. There is no reason that providing additional resources and support to women who choose life should be partisan. Every woman who chooses to complete her studies through her pregnancy is another American citizen doubly contributing to our families, to our communities, to our workforce, and should be an inspiration to us all.

This bill, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, is a step in the right direction to creating a culture of life in our society and a step that we must take as we continue to pursue policies that will help our families grow and thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.

Rep. Hakeem S. JeffriesD-NY-8 · Jan 18, 2024

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from the great State of Oregon, Representative Bonamici, for her tremendous advocacy and for yielding some time. I rise today in strong opposition to…

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from the great State of Oregon, Representative Bonamici, for her tremendous advocacy and for yielding some time.

I rise today in strong opposition to this reckless and regressive Republican effort to undermine women's healthcare.

House Republicans have begun this year the same way that they ended last year, targeting women's reproductive freedom. The distinction between Democrats and extreme MAGA Republicans on the abortion care issue couldn't be any clearer. House Democrats believe in a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions. It is a decision that should be between a woman, her family, and her doctors, not extreme MAGA Republicans trying to intervene and indoctrinate and influence young women on college campuses all across America.

We believe in a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions. What House Republicans want to do is to criminalize abortion care. House Republicans want to impose a nationwide abortion ban. House Republicans want to undermine reproductive freedom, and that is what the underlying bill that is on the floor right now is all about--nothing more, and nothing less.

If the legislation that is under consideration was really about improving the opportunity for the children, the infants, the babies of America to live a healthy life, then extreme MAGA Republicans would join Democrats in our efforts to bring that about. House Democrats are trying to address the challenges around infant mortality in America. Extreme MAGA Republicans refuse to join us.

House Republicans could be working to deal with the challenges around child poverty in America, but they refuse to join House Democrats in our efforts to go back to the transformative child tax credit that was part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan.

House Democrats are working to deal with the problem of child hunger in America, but extreme MAGA Republicans are trying to cut nutritional assistance for children and families in our great country.

How dare the Republicans come to the House floor to lecture America about healthy infants, healthy babies, healthy children, when they are doing everything in their power to do exactly the opposite.

The notion that this bill has anything to do with transparency and providing information to young women on college campuses all across America is undermined by the fact that the Democratic amendments that were offered to provide a comprehensive set of information to women were consistently rejected.

Extreme MAGA Republicans rejected any effort to make sure that young women on college campuses were provided information about the full range of reproductive healthcare. Extreme MAGA Republicans rejected the effort to provide the young women of America with information about the dangers of a miscarriage. Extreme MAGA Republicans rejected the efforts by House Democrats to make sure that the young women of America were provided information about contraceptives. Why? Because House Republicans have only one objective--a nationwide abortion ban.

This legislation is part of that effort, and that is why, instead of the Congress dealing with issues related to the economy or housing or inflation or public safety or healthcare, House Republicans have us voting on bills to undermine a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions.

I strongly urge everyone to reject this extreme piece of legislation and join us in trying to uplift women, children, and families in America.

Our promise to the country is as follows: House Democrats will stand strongly behind reproductive freedom today; we will stand strongly behind reproductive freedom tomorrow; we will stand strongly behind a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions forever until we crush the extreme MAGA Republican effort to criminalize abortion care.

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 18, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3523

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 18, 2023

Ms. Moore of Wisconsin (for herself, Ms. Underwood, Ms. Adams, Mr. Allred, Ms. Barragán, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Budzinski, Ms. Bush, Ms. Caraveo, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Carson, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Craig, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Ms. Escobar, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Evans, Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. García of Illinois, Mr. Green of Texas, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Ivey, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Kuster, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Lieu, Ms. Lofgren, Mrs. McBath, Mrs. McClellan, Ms. McCollum, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Meng, Mr. Mfume, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Mrvan, Mr. Mullin, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Neguse, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Payne, Mr. Phillips, Ms. Porter, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Ruppersberger, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Schneider, Ms. Scholten, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Soto, Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Strickland, Mrs. Sykes, Mr. Takano, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Tonko, Mrs. Torres of California, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Trone, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Velázquez, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Wexton, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Pascrell, Ms. DelBene, and Mr. Lynch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Perinatal Workforce Act.

HHS agency directives

(a)

Guidance to States

(1)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue and disseminate guidance to States to educate providers, managed care entities, and other insurers about the value and process of delivering respectful maternal health care through diverse and multidisciplinary care provider models.

(2)

Contents

The guidance required by paragraph (1) shall address how States can encourage and incentivize hospitals, health systems, midwifery practices, freestanding birth centers, other maternity care provider groups, managed care entities, and other insurers—

(A)

to recruit and retain maternity care providers, mental and behavioral health care providers acting in accordance with State law, and registered dietitians or nutrition professionals (as such term is defined in section 1861(vv)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(vv)(2)))—

(i)

from racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse backgrounds;

(ii)

with experience practicing in racially and ethnically diverse communities; and

(iii)

who have undergone training on implicit bias and racism;

(B)

to incorporate into maternity care teams—

(i)

midwives who meet, at a minimum, the international definition of a midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives;

(ii)

perinatal health workers;

(iii)

physician assistants;

(iv)

advanced practice registered nurses; and

(v)

lactation consultants certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners;

(C)

to provide collaborative, culturally and linguistically congruent care; and

(D)

to provide opportunities for individuals enrolled in accredited midwifery education programs to participate in job shadowing with maternity care teams in hospitals, health systems, midwifery practices, and freestanding birth centers.

(b)

Study on respectful and culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care

(1)

Study

The Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (in this subsection referred to as the Secretary) shall conduct a study on best practices in respectful and culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care.

(2)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—

(A)

complete the study required by paragraph (1);

(B)

submit to the Congress and make publicly available a report on the results of such study; and

(C)

include in such report—

(i)

a compendium of examples of hospitals, health systems, midwifery practices, freestanding birth centers, other maternity care provider groups, managed care entities, and other insurers that are delivering respectful and culturally and linguistically congruent maternal health care;

(ii)

a compendium of examples of hospitals, health systems, midwifery practices, freestanding birth centers, other maternity care provider groups, managed care entities, and other insurers that have made progress in reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes and improving birthing experiences for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups; and

(iii)

recommendations to hospitals, health systems, midwifery practices, freestanding birth centers, other maternity care provider groups, managed care entities, and other insurers, for best practices in respectful and culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care.

Grants to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce

Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 757 (42 U.S.C. 294f) the following new section:

758.

Perinatal workforce grants

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall award grants to entities to establish or expand programs described in subsection (b) to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce.

(b)

Use of funds

Recipients of grants under this section shall use the grants to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce by—

(1)

establishing accredited schools or programs that provide education and training to individuals seeking appropriate licensing and certification as—

(A)

physician assistants who will complete clinical training in the field of maternal and perinatal health;

(B)

perinatal health workers; or

(C)

midwives who meet, at a minimum, the international definition of a midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives; and

(2)

expanding the capacity of existing accredited schools or programs described in paragraph (1), for the purposes of increasing the number of students enrolled in such accredited schools or programs, such as by awarding scholarships for students (including students from racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse backgrounds).

(c)

Prioritization

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a school or program described in subsection (b) that—

(1)

has demonstrated a commitment to recruiting and retaining students and faculty from racial and ethnic minority groups;

(2)

has developed a strategy to recruit and retain a diverse pool of students into the school or program described in subsection (b) that is supported by funds received through the grant, particularly from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;

(3)

has developed a strategy to recruit and retain students who plan to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332;

(4)

has developed a strategy to recruit and retain students who plan to practice in an area with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent practicable; and

(5)

includes in the standard curriculum for all students within the school or program described in subsection (b) a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes training on implicit bias and racism.

(d)

Reporting

As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section for a school or program described in subsection (b), an entity shall agree to submit to the Secretary an annual report on the activities conducted through the grant, including—

(1)

the number and demographics of students participating in the school or program;

(2)

the extent to which students in the school or program are entering careers in—

(A)

health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and

(B)

areas with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes, to the extent such data are available; and

(3)

whether the school or program has included in the standard curriculum for all students a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes explicit and implicit bias, and if so the effectiveness of such training program.

(e)

Period of grants

The period of a grant under this section shall be up to 5 years.

(f)

Application

To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including any information necessary for prioritization under subsection (c).

(g)

Technical assistance

The Secretary shall provide, directly or by contract, technical assistance to entities seeking or receiving a grant under this section on the development, use, evaluation, and postgrant period sustainability of the school or program described in subsection (b) that is proposed to be, or is being, established or expanded through the grant.

(h)

Report by the Secretary

Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress, and post on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report on the effectiveness of the grant program under this section at—

(1)

recruiting students from racial and ethnic minority groups;

(2)

increasing the number of health professionals described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (b)(1) from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;

(3)

increasing the number of such health professionals working in health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and

(4)

increasing the number of such health professionals working in areas with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent such data are available.

(i)

Definition

In this section, the term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1).

(j)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

Grants to grow and diversify the nursing workforce in maternal and perinatal health

Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 811 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 296j) the following:

812.

Perinatal nursing workforce grants

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall award grants to schools of nursing to grow and diversify the perinatal nursing workforce.

(b)

Use of funds

Recipients of grants under this section shall use the grants to grow and diversify the perinatal nursing workforce by providing scholarships to students seeking to become—

(1)

nurse practitioners whose education includes a focus on maternal and perinatal health;

(2)

certified nurse-midwives; or

(3)

clinical nurse specialists whose education includes a focus on maternal and perinatal health.

(c)

Prioritization

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to any school of nursing that—

(1)

has developed a strategy to recruit and retain a diverse pool of students seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health, particularly students from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;

(2)

has developed a partnership with a practice setting in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332 for the clinical placements of the school’s students;

(3)

has developed a strategy to recruit and retain students who plan to practice in an area with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent practicable; and

(4)

includes in the standard curriculum for all students seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes education on implicit bias and racism.

(d)

Reporting

As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, a school of nursing shall agree to submit to the Secretary an annual report on the activities conducted through the grant, including, to the extent practicable—

(1)

the number and demographics of students in the school of nursing seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health;

(2)

the extent to which such students are preparing to enter careers in—

(A)

health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and

(B)

areas with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes, to the extent such data are available; and

(3)

whether the standard curriculum for all students seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health includes a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes education on implicit bias and racism.

(e)

Period of grants

The period of a grant under this section shall be up to 5 years.

(f)

Application

To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including any information necessary for prioritization under subsection (c).

(g)

Technical assistance

The Secretary shall provide, directly or by contract, technical assistance to schools of nursing seeking or receiving a grant under this section on the processes of awarding and evaluating scholarships through the grant.

(h)

Report by the Secretary

(1)

recruiting students from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;

(2)

increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses entering careers focused on maternal and perinatal health from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;

(3)

increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses entering careers focused on maternal and perinatal health working in health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and

(4)

increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses entering careers focused on maternal and perinatal health working in areas with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent such data are available.

(i)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

GAO report

(a)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on barriers to maternal health education and access to care in the United States. Such report shall include the information and recommendations described in subsection (b).

(b)

Content of report

The report under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

an assessment of current barriers to entering and successfully completing accredited midwifery education programs, and recommendations for addressing such barriers, particularly for low-income women and women from racial and ethnic minority groups;

(2)

an assessment of current barriers to entering and successfully completing accredited education programs for other health professional careers related to maternity care, including maternity care providers, mental and behavioral health care providers acting in accordance with State law, and registered dietitians or nutrition professionals (as such term is defined in section 1861(vv)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(vv)(2))), particularly for low-income women and women from racial and ethnic minority groups;

(3)

an assessment of current barriers that prevent midwives from meeting the international definition of a midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives, and recommendations for addressing such barriers, particularly for low-income women and women from racial and ethnic minority groups;

(4)

an assessment of disparities in access to maternity care providers, mental or behavioral health care providers acting in accordance with State law, and registered dietitians or nutrition professionals (as such term is defined in section 1861(vv)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(vv)(2))), and perinatal health workers, stratified by race, ethnicity, gender identity, primary language, geographic location, and insurance type and recommendations to promote greater access equity; and

(5)

recommendations to promote greater equity in compensation for perinatal health workers under public and private insurers, particularly for such individuals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Culturally and linguistically congruent

The term culturally and linguistically congruent, with respect to care or maternity care, means care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, worldview, language, and practices of the health care consumer and other stakeholders.

(2)

Maternal mortality

The term maternal mortality means a death occurring during or within a 1-year period after pregnancy, caused by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications, including a suicide, overdose, or other death resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications.

(3)

Maternity care provider

The term maternity care provider means a health care provider who—

(A)

is a physician, physician assistant, midwife who meets at a minimum the international definition of a midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives, advanced practice registered nurse, or a lactation consultant certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners; and

(B)

has a focus on maternal or perinatal health.

(4)

Perinatal health worker

The term perinatal health worker means a nonclinical health worker focused on maternal or perinatal health, such as a doula, community health worker, peer supporter, lactation educator or counselor, nutritionist or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, home visitor, patient navigator or coordinator, or language interpreter.

(5)

Postpartum

The term postpartum refers to the 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an individual.

(6)

Racial and ethnic minority group

The term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–6(g)(1)).