IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 236 
Expressing support for the goals of a ‘‘NICU Baby’s Bill of Rights’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 21, 2025 
Mrs. HOUCHIN (for herself and Mr. MCGARVEY) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the goals of a ‘‘NICU Baby’s Bill 
of Rights’’. 
Whereas the United States continues to experience high rates 
of infant prematurity, with over 380,000 babies born 
preterm each year and thousands more full-term medi-
cally complex babies admitted to the neonatal intensive 
care unit (NICU); 
Whereas the preterm birth rate of Black babies is 50 percent 
higher than that of White babies in the United States; 
Whereas preterm birth is the leading cause of death among 
children under the age of 1 year; 
Whereas a baby born preterm or full-term with medical com-
plications is a significant driver of comorbidities, includ-
ing necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 
cerebral palsy, brain injury, and retinopathy of pre-
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maturity, often resulting in lifelong complications or 
death; 
Whereas babies born prematurely or with severe medical com-
plications are most often cared for in neonatal intensive 
care units (referred to in this resolution as ‘‘NICUs’’); 
Whereas having a baby born preterm or full-term with med-
ical complexities is a traumatic experience, and NICU 
families are often overwhelmed by their circumstances, 
leaving them at high risk for a variety of mental health 
concerns, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; 
Whereas NICU parents are often separated from their criti-
cally ill babies, bonding is interrupted, and this may have 
significant negative impacts on the cognitive development 
of the baby and the emotional and mental well-being of 
the parents; 
Whereas critically ill babies and their parents and family 
caregivers benefit from skin-to-skin contact in terms of 
increased breastfeeding rates, higher rates of emotional 
attachment, enhanced neurodevelopmental outcomes, and 
promotes confidence in caregiving; 
Whereas, when NICU families are supported, outcomes im-
prove for babies and their families; 
Whereas all families deserve family-centered care that is de-
velopmentally appropriate and supportive; 
Whereas all NICU families deserve access to the individual-
ized support, education, and resources they need to thrive 
during and after their NICU stay; 
Whereas NICU families are often not fully informed or con-
sulted on questions of substance regarding their child’s 
care, including treatment plans, the true health status of 
their baby, and infant nutrition; 
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Whereas, although studies have shown that human milk- 
based nutrition is preferable, many families report being 
unaware of the nutrition options available to their babies 
including donor human milk and human milk-based nu-
trition; and 
Whereas all NICU families have the right to informed con-
sent regarding all aspects of their child’s care: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the goals of a ‘‘NICU 
Baby’s Bill of Rights’’ supporting the needs of neo-
natal intensive care unit families and their babies; 
(2) calls on health providers and other stake-
holders to promote a family-centered approach to 
neonatal intensive care unit care, including the 
needs of babies as well as families to make the deci-
sions that are right for them, including encouraging 
parents to be integrated into the daily care of their 
babies as much as possible; 
(3) understands that parents are a neonatal in-
tensive care unit baby’s best advocate, and asks hos-
pitals to establish clear policies that prioritize paren-
tal or primary caregiver presence, integration, and 
collaboration, and involve family advocacy partners 
in the creation and development of such policies 
from the beginning of these discussions; 
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(4) encourages hospitals to embrace an in-
formed consent model for important care decisions 
for all neonatal intensive care unit babies, including 
treatment care plans and infant nutrition for all 
neonatal intensive care unit babies, ensuring families 
are fully informed of the risks and benefits of all 
care options available, and empowering parents to 
make informed decisions on behalf of their child; 
(5) emphasizes the importance of a comprehen-
sive discharge planning process that includes family 
participation, ensuring the plan is tailored to the 
needs of each individual baby and family; and 
(6) underscores the importance of mental 
health support for parents and family caregivers of 
neonatal intensive care unit babies, including con-
necting them to peer-to-peer support programs, sup-
port groups, and counseling, whether in person or 
virtual, to reduce the impact of perinatal mood and 
anxiety disorders. 
Æ 
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