Bill > H7322

This bill, titled the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, establishes permanent statewide support for maternal health by creating a new chapter in Rhode Island law. It formalizes the Rhode Island Maternal Health Advisory Board, comprised of seven members appointed by state leadership, to oversee the implementation of the maternal health strategic plan, advise on improvements to care and outcomes, review data on disparities, and guide the development of a data unit and workforce development program. The bill also mandates the modernization of maternal health data collection to include social and environmental factors, establishes a program to expand training and support for the maternal health workforce, including midwives, doulas, and community birth workers, and authorizes competitive grants for community-based organizations to improve local maternal health access, such as prenatal navigation and postpartum mental health services. Importantly, this act aims to ensure long-term sustainability beyond a federal grant (MHI, or Maternal Health Innovation grant from HRSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration) and appropriates $2,700,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund these initiatives, with specific allocations for data modernization, workforce development, community grants, and advisory board operations, and will take effect upon passage.

Budget and Finance

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