Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696584890544.pdf (United States)
II 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 2588 To study the extent to which individuals are more at risk of maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity as a result of being a victim of intimate partner violence, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AUGUST 3, 2021 Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Ms. KLOBUCHAR) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Edu- cation, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To study the extent to which individuals are more at risk of maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity as a result of being a victim of intimate partner violence, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protect Moms From Domestic Violence Act’’.

 SEC.

2.

STUDY BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary, in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Sub- stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Administration for Children and Families, and in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of the Indian Health Service, and stakeholders (including community-based organizations and culturally specific or- ganizations), shall conduct a study on the extent to which individuals are more at risk for maternal mortality or se- vere maternal morbidity as a result of being a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or 15 forced marriage.
16 17 18 19 (b) REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete the study under subsection (a) and submit a report to Con- gress on the results of such study.
Such report shall in- 20 clude— (1) an analysis of the extent to which domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, and forced marriage contribute to, or result in, maternal mortality; •S 2588 IS (2) an analysis of the impact of domestic vio- lence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, and forced marriage on access to health care (including mental health care) and substance use disorder treatment and recovery support; (3) a breakdown (including by race and eth- nicity) of categories of individuals who are dis- proportionately victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced mar- riage that contributes to, or results in, pregnancy-re- lated death; (4) an analysis of the impact on health, mental health, and substance use resulting from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, and forced marriage among Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and American Indians during the prenatal and postpartum period; (5) an assessment of the factors that increase or decrease risks for maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity among victims of domestic vio- lence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, •S 2588 IS human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced marriage; (6) an assessment of increased risk of maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity stemming from suicide,
 substance use disorders, or drug over- dose due to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced marriage; (7) recommendations for legislative or policy changes— (A) to reduce maternal mortality rates; and (B) to address health inequities that con- tribute to disparities in such rates and deaths; (8) best practices to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among victims of do- mestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, and forced marriage, including— (A) reducing reproductive coercion, mental health conditions, and substance use coercion; and (B) routinely assessing pregnant people for domestic violence and other forms of reproduc- tive violence; and •S 2588 IS (9) any other information on maternal mor- tality or severe maternal morbidity the Secretary de- termines appropriate to include in the report.
SEC.

3.

STUDY BY NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Medi- cine (or, if the Academy declines to enter into such ar- rangement, another appropriate entity) to study the im- pact of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, and forced marriage on an individual’s health rel- ative to maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
(b) TOPICS.—The study under subsection (a) shall— (1) examine— (A) whether domestic violence, dating vio- lence, sexual assault, stalking, human traf- ficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced marriage, or generational intimate part- ner violence, trauma, and psychiatric disorders, increase the risk of suicide, substance use, and drug overdose among pregnant and postpartum persons; and (B) the intersection of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, •S 2588 IS and forced marriage as a social determinant of health; and (2) give particular focus to impacts among Afri- can-American, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native, and LGBTQ populations.
SEC.

4.

GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE APPROACHES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Ad- ministration, and in collaboration with the Administration for Children and Families, the Indian Health Service, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin- istration, shall award grants to eligible entities for devel- oping and implementing innovative approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced 17 marriage.
18 (b) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—To seek a grant under this 19 section, an entity shall be— (1) a State, local, or federally recognized Tribal government; (2) a nonprofit organization or community- based organization that provides prevention or inter- vention services related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, •S 2588 IS sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced mar- riage; (3) a Tribal organization or urban Indian orga- nization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C.
1603)); (4) an entity, the principal purpose of which is to provide health care, such as a hospital, clinic, health department, freestanding birthing center, perinatal health worker, or maternity care provider; (5) an institution of higher education; or (6) a comprehensive substance use disorder par- enting program.
(c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec- tion, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants pro- posing to address— (1) mental health and substance use disorders among pregnant persons; or (2) pregnant and postpartum persons experi- encing intimate partner violence.
(d) FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTER DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘freestanding birth center’’ has the meaning given that term in section 1905(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.

1396d(1)).
1396d(1)).

 •S 2588 IS (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.

SEC.

5.

GUIDANCE.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue and disseminate guid- ance to States, Tribes, Territories, maternity care pro- viders, and managed care entities on— (1) providing universal education on healthy re- lationships and intimate partner violence; (2) developing protocols on— (A) routine assessment of intimate partner violence; and (B) health promotion and strategies for trauma-informed care plans; and (3) creating sustainable partnerships with com- munity-based organizations that address domestic vi- olence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, or forced marriage.
SEC.

6.

DEFINITIONS.
In this Act: (1) The term ‘‘maternal mortality’’— (A) means death that— •S 2588 IS (i) occurs during, or within the 1-year period after, pregnancy; and (ii) is attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth complica- tions; and (B) includes a suicide, drug overdose death, homicide (including a domestic violence- related homicide), or other death resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder at- tributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications.
(2) The term ‘‘maternity care provider’’ means a health care provider who— (A) is a physician, physician assistant, nurse, midwife who meets at a minimum the international definition of the midwife and glob- al standards for midwifery education as estab- lished by the International Confederation of Midwives, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist; and (B) has a focus on maternal or perinatal health.
(3) The term ‘‘perinatal health worker’’ means a worker who— •S 2588 IS (A) is a doula, community health worker, peer supporter, breastfeeding and lactation edu- cator or counselor, nutritionist or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, home visitor, language interpreter, or navigator; and (B) provides assistance with perinatal health.
(4) The term ‘‘postpartum’’ means the 12- month period following childbirth.

(5) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(6) The term ‘‘severe maternal morbidity’’ means a health condition, including a mental health condition or substance use disorder, that— (A) is attributed to or aggravated by preg- nancy or childbirth; and (B) results in significant short-term or long-term consequences to the health of the in- dividual who was pregnant.
•S 2588 IS