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BIRTH JUSTICE

Bill Track™

Updated April 2026

(CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Black women in the United States continue to face disproportionately high rates of pregnancy related complications, maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity as a result of systemic racism, inequitable healthcare systems, bias in medical treatment, and longstanding gaps in access to culturally responsive care. According to recent CDC data, Black women remain approximately three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women, even as overall national maternal mortality rates have slightly declined.

At Melanin and Maternal Wellness, we believe policy is a birth justice issue. Laws and public policy shape access to healthcare, Medicaid coverage, paid leave, doula care, housing stability, environmental conditions, reproductive autonomy, and the resources families need to survive and thrive throughout the reproductive journey.

Birth Justice BillTrack™ was created to help communities, advocates, birth workers, and policymakers monitor legislation impacting Black maternal health and reproductive justice at both the state and federal levels. This tool exists to increase transparency, strengthen civic engagement, and connect policy to the lived realities of Black families.

Through legislative tracking, public education, and advocacy, we work to ensure that Black communities are not only informed about maternal health policy, but empowered to influence it.

Voting is Birth Justice!

Are you registered to vote???

Black mamas are the heartbeat of our families and communities. Yet, they face staggering disparities in healthcare, with higher rates of pregnancy complications and maternal mortality compared to white mothers. It's time to amplify their voices and empower them to fight for the health they deserve.

STATE

LEVEL

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Creates Midwifery Licensing Act; modifies regulation of midwifery.

Last Updated

1.13.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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Provides for Medicaid coverage of certain home blood pressure monitors and cuffs for pregnant persons at risk for preeclampsia.

Last Updated

1.13.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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“Community-led Birthing Justice and Equity Resource Initiative Program Act;” appropriates $12 million.

Last Updated

5.4.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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Amends law to extend length of postpartum coverage for Medicaid services for eligible pregnant women to 180-day period.

Last Updated

3.19.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Requires Medicaid coverage for remote stress tests for pregnant women.

Last Updated

3.5.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Requires certain ultrasounds on pregnant women to be performed by licensed health care professionals.

Last Updated

11.14.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Requires midwives and physicians to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery.

Last Updated

2.19.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Establishes pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of remote maternal health services for eligible beneficiaries.

Last Updated

2.19.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Requires Commissioner of Health to establish maternity care public awareness campaign.

Last Updated

1.13.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

Requires Medicaid coverage for remote stress tests for pregnant women.

Last Updated

3.5.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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Requires DHS to establish public awareness campaign on doulas.

Last Updated

6.9.2025

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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Urges Congress to pass federal "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act."

Last Updated

9.12.2024

Last Updated

8.24.2020

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Requires health insurers to cover self-measured blood pressure monitoring for subscribers with preeclampsia; requires health care professionals to provide home blood pressure monitor to pregnant patients diagnosed with preeclampsia.

Last Updated

2.5.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Urges Congress to pass "Pregnant Workers Fairness Act."

Last Updated

1.9.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Requires DOH to establish pub lic awareness campaign and develop policies and procedures to promote recognition and treatment of perinatal anxiety.

Last Updated

5.12.2025

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Requires midwives and physicians to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery.

Last Updated

3.16.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Designates April 11 of each year as "Black Doula Day."

Last Updated

3.5.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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Implements Mom Project oral health program in DOH; appropriates $3,000,000.

Last Updated

5.4.2026

Last Updated

11.5.2020

Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for preeclampsia.

Last Updated

5.4.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Requires DOH to prepare resource guide on preeclampsia and gestational diabetes for distribution to pregnant persons.

Last Updated

3.4.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Requires licensed health care professionals providing prenatal care to offer and screen, upon request, pregnant patients with history of depression for postpartum depression.

Last Updated

12.4.25

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Establishes training for law enforcement officers interacting with pregnant women.

Last Updated

1.9.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for preeclampsia

Last Updated

3.3.2025

Last Updated

7.6.2020

FEDERAL

LEVEL

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To amend title V of the Social Security Act to support stillbirth prevention and research, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

3.6.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act: To amend the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act to require hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration and personnel of private security companies providing security screening, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

9.27.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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Connected MOM Act: To identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under State Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women.

Last Updated

12.5.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

5.19.2023

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and otherwise modifies federal support for state-based efforts to improve maternal mortality review committees; enhance surveillance of pregnancy-associated and -related deaths; and otherwise improve, and reduce disparities in, maternal health outcomes.

Last Updated

3.6.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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A resolution designating January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day".

Last Updated

1.23.2025

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act: To end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

3.18.2026

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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To address social determinants of maternal health to eliminate maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

5.19.2023

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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To provide support for programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

4.16.2024

Last Updated

7.6.2020

A bill to identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under State Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women.

Last Updated

1.16.2025

Last Updated

7.6.2020

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To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to improve maternal health coverage under Medicaid and CHIP, and for other purposes.

Last Updated

3.22.2023

Last Updated

7.6.2020

Recognizing that the United States needs to support and strengthen mothers in the workforce by investing in the Mom Economy.

Last Updated

7.20.2023

Last Updated

7.6.2020

PASSED

BILLS

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Requires DHS to establish public awareness campaign on doulas.

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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Establishes a statewide universal newborn home visitation program in the new jersey department of children and families and advances new jersey as a national model for maternal and infant care

Last Updated

1.14.2020

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Will oversee the highly anticipated new jersey maternal and infant health innovation center in Trenton

Last Updated

11.5.2020

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