Resolve, To Direct the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations To Study and Propose Solutions to Disparities in Access to Prenatal Care in the State
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1113
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CARNEY, TALBOT ROSS, BREEN, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1113
S.P. 376
In Senate, March 22, 2021
Resolve, To Direct the Permanent Commission on the Status of 
Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations To Study and 
Propose Solutions to Disparities in Access to Prenatal Care in the 
State
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 18, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative TALBOT ROSS of Portland and
Senators: BREEN of Cumberland, MOORE of Washington.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the study required by this resolve must be initiated before the 90-day period 
expires so that the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine 
Tribal Populations can submit legislation to create equity in access to prenatal care in the 
State to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature; and
Whereas, the State has significant disparities in access to prenatal care: for example, 
90% of all women have a prenatal visit in the first trimester, while less than 75% of African-
American women have a visit in the first trimester; and 4% of all women have no visit until 
the last trimester as compared to 15% of African-American women; and
Whereas, delayed access to prenatal care increases the risk of maternal morbidity and 
mortality and poor birth outcomes; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and 
Maine Tribal Populations to study and propose solutions to disparities in 
access to prenatal care in the State.  Resolved:  That the Permanent Commission on 
the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations, established under the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 74-J and referred to in this resolve as 
"the commission," shall study the extent of disparities in access to prenatal care for the 
State's racial, indigenous and tribal populations through data and other information; study 
the causes of the disparities in access to prenatal care, including through interviews with 
those women who had no prenatal visit until the last trimester or had no prenatal care at all; 
and recommend solutions to disparities in access to prenatal care in the State.  The 
commission may submit legislation that serves to create equity in access to prenatal care in 
the State to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature in accordance with Title 
5, section 25007, subsection 2, paragraph D.  Notwithstanding Title 5, section 12004-I, 
subsection 74-J, for their expenses incurred in the work of the commission pursuant to this 
section, members of the commission receive reimbursement pursuant to Title 5, section 
12002-A.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous 
and Maine Tribal Populations to study disparities in access to prenatal care in the State.  It 
authorizes the commission to submit legislation that serves to create equity in access to 
prenatal care in the State to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature and allows 
the members of the commission to be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in this work.