HB4056 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 31895 LNS 60824 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4056

Introduced 5/2/2023, by Rep. Jackie Haas - Norine K. Hammond

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup Act. Sets forth the purpose, findings, and definitions. Requires the Department of Public Health's Office of Women's Health and Family Services' Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health Services to create the Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup to research and highlight the disparities between maternal health care throughout various geographic areas in the State, as well as work on making recommendations on connecting pregnant women and new mothers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with resources for the health and well-being of the mother and child. Establishes members, appointments, quorum, meeting frequency, compensation, and administrative support. Requires the Workgroup to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2025. Dissolves the Workgroup and repeals the Act on January 1, 2027.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to create the Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup to research and make recommendations on connecting pregnant women and new mothers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with resources for the health and well-being of the mother and child.

Section 10. Findings. The General Assembly hereby finds that:

(1) research indicates maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and unexpected outcomes of pregnancy and birth resulting in significant health consequences are rising in the United States, particularly in rural and some urban areas;

(2) in 2021, the Department of Public Health reported that each year, an average of 75 women in this State die within 12 months of pregnancy. The leading cause of pregnancy-related death was mental health conditions, including substance use disorders which accounted for 40% of the deaths; and

(3) addressing mental health concerns has been identified as a pressing need by the Department of Public Health, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, and various other commissions, councils, and advisory boards in this State.

Section 15. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Workgroup" means the Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup created by this Act.

Section 20. Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup.

(a) The Department's Office of Women's Health and Family Services' Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health Services shall create the Maternal Health and Well-being Workgroup to research and highlight the disparities between maternal health care throughout various geographic areas in the State, as well as work on making recommendations on connecting pregnant women and new mothers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with resources for the health and well-being of the mother and child.

(b) The Workgroup shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Director of Public Health, or the Director's designee, who shall serve as Chairperson of the Workgroup;

(2) the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or the Director's designee;

(3) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(6) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(7) one member representing a hospital located in a county with a population of more than 50,000, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(8) one member representing a hospital located in a county with a population of less than 50,000, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(c) The Workgroup members shall be appointed on or before July 1, 2024. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(d) All members are voting members. A quorum shall exist when 5 voting members are present.

(e) The first meeting of the Workgroup shall be held at the call of the Chairperson. After the first meeting, the Workgroup shall meet monthly.

(f) Members of the Workgroup shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties.

(e) The Department shall provide administrative and other support to the Workgroup.

Section 25. Report. By July 1, 2025, the Workgroup shall submit a status report to the Governor and the General Assembly that summarizes the disparities in maternal health care throughout the State, as well as the Workgroup's work and recommendations on the implementation of provisions to connect pregnant women and new mothers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with resources for the health and well-being of the mother and child.

Section 30. Dissolution of Workgroup; repeal. The Workgroup is dissolved, and this Act is repealed, on January 1, 2027.