Pregnant Women Support Act - Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states for collecting and reporting abortion surveillance data.
Requires health facilities that perform abortions to obtained informed consent from a pregnant woman seeking an abortion.
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage to an unborn child.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant.
Allows the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women.
Provides for the collection and dissemination of information on Down syndrome and other prenatally diagnosed conditions.
Provides for services to pregnant women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Requires states to require a pregnancy determination for homicide victims.
Requires the Secretary to make grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women and new parents.
Allows the Secretary to make grants to public institutions of higher education to establish and operate pregnant and parenting student services offices.
Requires the Secretary to provide for programs to work with pregnant or parenting teens to complete high school.
Requires group homes for pregnant and parenting women to provide counseling on adoption and parenting skills.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase and make refundable the tax credit for adoption expenses.
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the eligibility threshold for food stamps.
[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3192 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3192
To provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women
bear healthy children, and support new parents.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 26, 2007
Mr. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey,
Mr. Murtha, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Kaptur, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia,
Mr. Souder, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Pence, Mr. Mollohan, Mr. Franks of
Arizona, Mr. Melancon, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Boozman,
Mr. Hunter, Mr. Boren, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Costello, Mr. Shuler, Mr.
Langevin, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, Mr. Stupak, Mr.
Taylor, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Boyd of Florida,
Mr. Berry, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Holden, Mr. Renzi, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr.
Barrow, and Mr. Clyburn) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to
the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Agriculture,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women
bear healthy children, and support new parents.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pregnant Women
Support Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--COLLECTING AND REPORTING ABORTION SURVEILLANCE DATA
Sec. 101. Grants for collection and reporting of abortion surveillance
data.
Sec. 102. Report on reasons why women choose to have an abortion.
TITLE II--DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON ABORTION
Sec. 201. Disclosure of information on abortion.
TITLE III--MEDICAID AND SCHIP COVERAGE OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND UNBORN
CHILDREN
Sec. 301. Codification of optional SCHIP coverage of unborn children.
Sec. 302. Coordination with the maternal and child health program.
Sec. 303. Increase in SCHIP income eligibility.
Sec. 304. Outreach program to encourage those eligible for services to
enroll.
TITLE IV--HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEWBORNS
Sec. 401. Individual health insurance coverage for pregnant women.
Sec. 402. Continuation of health insurance coverage for newborns.
TITLE V--INCREASING WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEIR PREGNANCY
Sec. 501. Grants to health centers for purchase of ultrasound
equipment.
TITLE VI--SERVICES REGARDING POSITIVE TEST DIAGNOSIS OF DOWN SYNDROME
OR OTHER PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS
Sec. 601. Services to patients receiving positive test diagnosis for
down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed
conditions.
TITLE VII--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING
Sec. 701. Findings.
Sec. 702. Program to support pregnant women who are victims of domestic
violence.
Sec. 703. Homicide death certificates of certain female victims.
TITLE VIII--PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Sec. 801. Grants for increasing public awareness of resources available
to assist pregnant women in carrying their
pregnancies to term and to assist new
parents.
TITLE IX--SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENTS
Sec. 901. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 902. Definitions.
Sec. 903. Pregnant and parenting student services pilot program.
Sec. 904. Application; number of grants.
Sec. 905. Matching Requirement.
Sec. 906. Use of funds.
Sec. 907. Reporting.
Sec. 908. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE X--SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS
Sec. 1001. Grants to States.
TITLE XI--FEDERALLY-FUNDED HOMES FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN;
ADOPTION COUNSELING; PARENTING SKILLS
Sec. 1101. Counseling requirements.
TITLE XII--EXPANSION OF ADOPTION CREDIT AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
Sec. 1201. Expansion of adoption credit and adoption assistance
programs.
TITLE XIII--PROVIDING SUPPORT TO NEW PARENTS
Sec. 1301. Increased support for WIC program.
Sec. 1302. Nutritional support for low-income parents.
Sec. 1303. Increased funding for the Child Care and Development Block
Grant program.
Sec. 1304. Teenage or first-time mothers; free home visits by
registered nurses for education on health
needs of infants.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) There are 1.29 million abortions annually in America.
(2) 48 percent of all pregnancies in America are
unintended. Excluding miscarriages, 54 percent of unintended
pregnancies end in abortion.
(3) 57 percent of women who have abortions have incomes
below 200 percent of the poverty level.
(4) ``Cannot afford a baby'' is the second most frequently
cited reason women choose to have an abortion; 73 percent of
women having abortions cited this reason as a contributing
factor.
(5) This Act is an initiative to gather more complete
information about abortion, to reduce the abortion rate by
helping women carry their pregnancies to term and bear healthy
children, and by affirming the right of women to be fully
informed about their other options when they seek an abortion.
(6) The initiative will work to support women facing
unplanned pregnancies, new parents and their children by
providing comprehensive measures for health care needs,
supportive services and helpful prenatal information and
postnatal services.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health
and Human Services.
(2) The term ``State'' includes the 50 States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the
Virgin Islands, and any other territory or possession of the
United States.
TITLE I--COLLECTING AND REPORTING ABORTION SURVEILLANCE DATA
SEC. 101. GRANTS FOR COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF ABORTION SURVEILLANCE
DATA.
(a) Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may make grants to States
for collecting and reporting abortion surveillance data.
(b) Reporting Requirement.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may make a grant to a State
under this section only if the State agrees to submit a report
in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2011 on the State's abortion
surveillance data.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted by a State under this
subsection shall, with respect to the preceding 2 fiscal years,
include--
(A) the number and characteristics of women
obtaining abortions in the State; and
(B) the characteristics of these abortions,
including the approximate gestational age of the unborn
child, the abortion method, and any known physical or
psychological complications.
(3) Personal information.--A report submitted by a State
under this subsection shall not contain the name of any woman
obtaining or seeking to obtain an abortion, any common
identifier (such as a social security number), or any other
identifier (including statistical information) that would make
it possible to identify in any manner or under any
circumstances an individual who has obtained or seeks to obtain
an abortion.
(c) Confidentiality.--The Secretary shall maintain the
confidentiality of any individually identifiable information reported
to the Secretary under this section.
(d) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than the end of fiscal year
2011, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress on
the abortion surveillance data reported to the Secretary under
this section.
(2) Personal information.--A report submitted by the
Secretary to the Congress under this subsection shall not
contain any name or other identifier described in subsection
(b)(3).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
SEC. 102. REPORT ON REASONS WHY WOMEN CHOOSE TO HAVE AN ABORTION.
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Institute of
Medicine to study the reasons why women choose to have an abortion. The
Secretary shall ensure that a report from the Institute describing the
findings of the study is submitted to the Congress not later than
January 10, 2011.
TITLE II--DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON ABORTION
SEC. 201. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON ABORTION.
(a) In General.--Health facilities that perform abortions in or
affecting interstate commerce shall obtain informed consent from the
pregnant woman seeking to have the abortion. Informed consent shall
exist only after a woman has voluntarily completed or opted not to
complete pre-abortion counseling sessions.
(b) Accurate Information.--Counseling sessions under subsection (a)
shall include the following information:
(1) The probable gestational age and characteristics of the
unborn child at the time the abortion will be performed.
(2) How the abortion procedure is performed.
(3) Possible short-term and long-term risks and
complications of the procedure to be performed.
(4) Options or alternatives to abortion, including, but not
limited to, adoption, and the resources available in the
community to assist women choosing these options.
(5) The availability of post-procedure medical services to
address the risks and complications of the procedure.
(c) Exception.--This section shall not apply when the pregnant
woman is herself incapable, under State law, of making medical
decisions. This section does not affect or modify any requirement under
State law for making medical decisions for such patients.
(d) Civil Remedies.--
(1) Civil action.--Any female upon whom an abortion has
been performed or attempted without complying with the informed
consent requirements may bring a civil action in an appropriate
district court of the United States against the person who
performed the abortion in knowing or reckless violation of this
section for actual and punitive damages.
(2) Certain authorities and requirements.--With respect to
an action under paragraph (1):
(A) The court may award attorney's fees to the
plaintiff if judgment is rendered in favor of the
plaintiff, and may award attorney's fees to the
defendant if judgment is rendered in favor of the
defendant and the court finds that the plaintiff's case
was frivolous and brought in bad faith.
(B) The court shall determine whether the anonymity
of the female involved will be preserved from public
disclosure if the female has not consented to her
identity being disclosed. If the female's identity is
to be shielded, the court shall issue an order sealing
the record and excluding individuals from the courtroom
to preserve her identity.
(C) In the absence of the female's written consent,
anyone other than a public official who brings the
action shall do so under a pseudonym.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may
be construed to conceal the identity of the plaintiff or of the
witnesses from the defendant.
(e) Severability.--If any provision of this section requiring
informed consent for abortions is found unconstitutional, the
unconstitutional provision is severable and the other provisions of
this section remain in effect.
(f) Preemption.--Nothing in this section shall prevent a State from
enacting and enforcing additional requirements with respect to informed
consent.
TITLE III--MEDICAID AND SCHIP COVERAGE OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND UNBORN
CHILDREN
SEC. 301. CODIFICATION OF OPTIONAL SCHIP COVERAGE OF UNBORN CHILDREN.
(a) In General.--Section 2110(b) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1397jj(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Coverage of unborn children.--The terms `child' and
`individual' include, at the State option, an unborn child.''.
(b) Construction.--Subsection (a) shall be construed as codifying
the regulation promulgated at Federal Register 61956 (October 2, 2002),
relating to eligibility for prenatal care and other health services for
unborn children under SCHIP.
SEC. 302. COORDINATION WITH THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 2102(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1397bb(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) that operations and activities under this
title are developed and implemented in consultation and
coordination with the program operated by the State
under title V in areas including outreach and
enrollment, benefits and services, service delivery
standards, public health and social service agency
relationships, and quality assurance and data
reporting.''.
(b) Conforming Medicaid Amendment.--Section 1902(a)(11) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(11)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' before ``(C)''; and
(2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the
following: ``, and (D) provide that operations and activities
under this title are developed and implemented in consultation
and coordination with the program operated by the State under
title V in areas including outreach and enrollment, benefits
and services, service delivery standards, public health and
social service agency relationships, and quality assurance and
data reporting''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take
effect on January 1, 2008.
SEC. 303. INCREASE IN SCHIP INCOME ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Definition of Low-Income Child.--Section 2110(c)(4) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. 1397jj(c)(4)) is amended by
striking ``200'' and inserting ``250''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) applies
to child health assistance provided and allotments determined under
section 2104 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd) for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 304. OUTREACH PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES TO
ENROLL.
The Secretary shall make such funds available as may be necessary
to encourage eligible pregnant women to enroll for services for their
unborn children under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act.
TITLE IV--HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEWBORNS
SEC. 401. INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.
(a) Limitation on Imposition of Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions
and Waiting Periods for Women With Prior Coverage.--Title XXVII of the
Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 2752
the following new section:
``SEC. 2753. PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE WITHOUT
REGARD TO PREEXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION AND WAITING
PERIODS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WITHIN ONE YEAR OF CONTINUOUS
PRIOR COVERAGE.
``In the case of a woman who has had at least 12 months of
creditable coverage before seeking individual health insurance
coverage, such individual health insurance coverage, and the health
insurance issuer offering such coverage, may not impose any preexisting
condition exclusion relating to pregnancy as a preexisting condition,
any waiting period, or otherwise discriminate in coverage or premiums
against the woman on the basis that she is pregnant.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on January 1, 2008, and shall apply to women who become
pregnant on or after such date.
SEC. 402. CONTINUATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR NEWBORNS.
(a) Group Health Plan Coverage.--Title XXVII of the Public Health
Service Act is amended by inserting after section 2706 the following
new section:
``SEC. 2707. CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE FOR NEWBORNS.
``(a) Notification.--In the case of a pregnant woman who is covered
under a group health plan, or under group health insurance coverage,
for other than family coverage, the plan or issuer of the insurance
shall provide notice to the woman during the 5th month of pregnancy,
during the 8th month of pregnancy, and within 2 weeks after delivery,
of the woman's option to provide continuing coverage of the newborn
child under the group health plan or health insurance coverage under
subsection (b).
``(b) Option of Continued Coverage for Newborns.--In the case of a
pregnant woman described in subsection (a) who has a newborn child
under a group health plan or under group health insurance coverage, the
plan or issuer offering the coverage shall provide the woman with the
option of electing coverage of the newborn child at least through the
end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of birth of the child
and no waiting period or preexisting condition exclusion shall apply
with respect to the coverage of such a newborn child under such plan or
coverage. Such continuation coverage shall remain in effect, subject to
payment of applicable premiums, for at least such period as the
Secretary specifies.''.
(b) Individual Health Insurance Coverage.--Such title is further
amended by inserting after section 2753, as added by section 401, the
following new section:
``SEC. 2754. CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE FOR NEWBORNS.
``The provisions of section 2707 shall apply with respect to
individual health insurance coverage and the issuer of such coverage in
the same manner as they apply to group health insurance coverage and
the issuer of such coverage.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on January 1, 2008, and shall apply to women who become pregnant
on or after such date and children who are born of such women.
TITLE V--INCREASING WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEIR PREGNANCY
SEC. 501. GRANTS TO HEALTH CENTERS FOR PURCHASE OF ULTRASOUND
EQUIPMENT.
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317L the following:
``SEC. 317L-1. GRANTS FOR THE PURCHASE OR UPGRADE OF ULTRASOUND
EQUIPMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants for the purchase
of ultrasound equipment. Such ultrasound equipment shall be used by the
recipients of such grants to provide, under the direction and
supervision of a licensed medical physician, ultrasound examinations to
pregnant women consenting to such services.
``(b) Eligibility Requirements.--An entity may receive a grant
under subsection (a) only if the entity meets the following conditions:
``(1) The entity is a health center eligible to receive a
grant under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act
(relating to community health centers, migrant health centers,
homeless health centers, and public-housing health centers).
``(2) The entity agrees to comply with the following
medical procedures:
``(A) The entity will inform each pregnant woman
upon whom the ultrasound equipment is used that she has
the right to view the visual image of the unborn child
from the ultrasound examination and that she has the
right to hear a general anatomical and physiological
description of the characteristics of the unborn child.
``(B) The entity will inform each pregnant woman
that she has the right to learn, according to the best
medical judgment of the physician performing the
ultrasound examination or the physician's agent
performing such exam, the approximate age of the embryo
or unborn child considering the number of weeks elapsed
from the probable time of the conception of the embryo
or unborn child, based upon the information provided by
the client as to the time of her last menstrual period,
her medical history, a physical examination, or
appropriate laboratory tests.
``(c) Application for Grant.--A grant may be made under subsection
(a) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary
and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and
contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
``(d) Annual Report to Secretary.--A grant may be made under
subsection (a) only if the applicant for the grant agrees to report on
an annual basis to the Secretary, in such form and manner as the
Secretary may require, on the ongoing compliance of the applicant with
the eligibility conditions established in subsection (b).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000
for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the
fiscal years 2009 and 2010.''.
TITLE VI--SERVICES REGARDING POSITIVE TEST DIAGNOSIS OF DOWN SYNDROME
OR OTHER PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS
SEC. 601. SERVICES TO PATIENTS RECEIVING POSITIVE TEST DIAGNOSIS FOR
DOWN SYNDROME OR OTHER PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS.
(a) Findings and Purposes.--
(1) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
(A) Pregnant women who choose to undergo prenatal
genetic testing should have access to timely,
scientific, and nondirective counseling about the
conditions being tested for and the accuracy of such
tests, from health care professionals qualified to
provide and interpret these tests. Informed consent is
a critical component of all genetic testing.
(B) A recent, peer-reviewed study and two reports
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on
prenatal testing found a deficiency in the data needed
to understand the epidemiology of prenatally diagnosed
conditions, to monitor trends accurately, and to
increase the effectiveness of health intervention.
(2) Purposes.--It is the purpose of this section, after the
diagnosis of an unborn child with Down syndrome or other
prenatally diagnosed conditions, to--
(A) increase patient referrals to providers of key
support services to assist parents in the care, or
placement for adoption, of a child with Down syndrome,
or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, as well as to
provide up-to-date, science-based information about
life-expectancy and development potential for a child
born with Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed
condition;
(B) provide networks of support services described
in subparagraph (A) through a Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention patient and provider outreach
program;
(C) improve available data by incorporating
information directly revealed by prenatal testing into
existing State-based surveillance programs for birth
defects and prenatally diagnosed conditions; and
(D) ensure that patients receive up-to-date,
scientific information about the accuracy of the test.
(b) Amendment to the Public Health Service Act.--Part P of title
III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 399R. SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS RECEIVING A POSITIVE TEST DIAGNOSIS
OF DOWN SYNDROME OR OTHER PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED
CONDITIONS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Down syndrome.--The term `Down syndrome' refers to a
chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that
results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of
chromosome 21.
``(2) Health care provider.--The term `health care
provider' means any person or entity required by State or
Federal law or regulation to be licensed, registered, or
certified to provide health care services, and who is so
licensed, registered, or certified.
``(3) Prenatally diagnosed condition.--The term `prenatally
diagnosed condition' means any fetal health condition
identified by prenatal genetic testing or prenatal screening
procedures.
``(4) Prenatal test.--The term `prenatal test' means
diagnostic or screening tests offered to pregnant women seeking
routine prenatal care that are administered by a health care
provider based on medical history, family background, ethnic
background, previous test results, or other risk factors.
``(5) Support.--The terms `support' and `supportive
services' mean services to assist parents to care for, and
prepare to care for, a child with Down Syndrome or another
prenatally diagnosed condition, and to facilitate the adoption
of such children as appropriate.
``(b) Information and Support Services.--The Secretary, acting
through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Administrator
of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may authorize and
oversee certain activities, including the awarding of grants,
contracts, or cooperative agreements, to--
``(1) collect, synthesize, and disseminate current
scientific information relating to Down syndrome or other
prenatally diagnosed conditions;
``(2) coordinate the provision of, and access to, new or
existing supportive services for patients receiving a positive
test diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed
conditions, including--
``(A) the establishment of a resource telephone
hotline and Internet Website accessible to patients
receiving a positive test result;
``(B) the establishment of national and local peer-
support programs; and
``(C) the establishment of a national registry, or
network of local registries, of families willing to
adopt newborns with Down syndrome or other prenatally
diagnosed conditions, and links to adoption agencies
willing to place babies with Down syndrome or other
prenatally diagnosed conditions, with families willing
to adopt;
``(3) establish a clearinghouse of information regarding
the scientific facts, clinical course, life expectancy, and
development potential relating to Down syndrome or other
prenatally diagnosed conditions; and
``(4) establish awareness and education programs for health
care providers who provide the results of prenatal tests for
Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, to
patients, consistent with the purpose described in section
601(a)(2)(A) of the Pregnant Women Support Act.
``(c) Data Collection.--
``(1) Provision of assistance.--The Secretary, acting
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, shall provide assistance to State and local health
departments to integrate the results of prenatal testing into
State-based vital statistics and birth defects surveillance
programs.
``(2) Activities.--The Secretary shall ensure that
activities carried out under paragraph (1) are sufficient to
extract population-level data relating to national rates and
results of prenatal testing.
``(d) Provision of Information by Providers.--Upon receipt of a
positive test result from a prenatal test for Down syndrome or other
prenatally diagnosed conditions performed on a patient, the health care
provider involved (or his or her designee) shall provide the patient
with the following:
``(1) Up-to-date, scientific, written information
concerning the life expectancy, clinical course, and
intellectual and functional development and treatment options
for an unborn child diagnosed with or child born with Down
syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions.
``(2) Referral to supportive services providers, including
information hotlines specific to Down syndrome or other
prenatally diagnosed conditions, resource centers or
clearinghouses, and other education and support programs
described in subsection (b).
``(e) Privacy.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsections (c) and (d),
nothing in this section shall be construed to permit or require
the collection, maintenance, or transmission, without the
health care provider obtaining the prior, written consent of
the patient, of--
``(A) health information or data that identify a
patient, or with respect to which there is a reasonable
basis to believe the information could be used to
identify the patient (including a patient's name,
address, healthcare provider, or hospital); and
``(B) data that are not related to the epidemiology
of the condition being tested for.
``(2) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish
guidelines concerning the implementation of paragraph (1) and
subsection (d).
``(f) Reports.--
``(1) Implementation report.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this section, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress
concerning the implementation of the guidelines described in
subsection (e)(2).
``(2) GAO report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Government Accountability Office
shall submit a report to Congress concerning the effectiveness
of current healthcare and family support programs serving as
resources for the families of children with disabilities.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2008 through 2012.''.
TITLE VII--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING
SEC. 701. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) Pregnant and recently pregnant women are more likely to
be victims of homicide than to die of any other causes, and
evidence exists that a significant proportion of all female
homicide victims are killed by their intimate partners.
(2) A 2001 study published by the Journal of the American
Medical Association found that murder is the number one cause
of death among pregnant women.
(3) Research suggests that injury-related deaths, including
homicide and suicide, account for approximately one-third of
all maternal mortality cases, while medical reasons make up the
rest. Homicide is the leading cause of death overall for
pregnant women, followed by cancer, acute and chronic
respiratory conditions, motor vehicle collisions and drug
overdose, peripartum and postpartum cardiomyopthy, and suicide.
SEC. 702. PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE.
(a) In General.--For fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal
year, the Attorney General, through the Director of the Office on
Violence Against Women, may award grants to States, to be used for any
of the following purposes:
(1) To assist States in providing intervention services,
accompaniment, and supportive social services for eligible
pregnant women who are victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, or stalking.
(2) To provide for technical assistance and training (as
described in subsection (c)) relating to violence against
eligible pregnant women to be made available to the following:
(A) Federal, State, tribal, territorial, and local
governments, law enforcement agencies, and courts.
(B) Professionals working in legal, social service,
and health care settings.
(C) Nonprofit organizations.
(D) Faith-based organizations.
(b) State Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under subsection
(a), a State shall--
(1) submit to the Attorney General an application in such
time and manner, and containing such information, as specified
by the Attorney General; and
(2) for a grant made for a fiscal year beginning on or
after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment
of this title, satisfy the requirement under section 703,
relating to female homicide victim determinations and death
certificates.
(c) Technical Assistance and Training Described.--For purposes of
subsection (a)(2), technical assistance and training is--
(1) the identification of eligible pregnant women
experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking;
(2) the assessment of the immediate and short-term safety
of such a pregnant woman, the evaluation of the impact of the
violence or stalking on the pregnant woman's health, and the
assistance of the pregnant woman in developing a plan aimed at
preventing further domestic violence, dating violence, or
stalking, as appropriate;
(3) the maintenance of complete medical or forensic records
that include the documentation of any examination, treatment
given, and referrals made, recording the location and nature of
the pregnant woman's injuries, and the establishment of
mechanisms to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of those
medical records; and
(4) the identification and referral of the pregnant woman
to appropriate public and private nonprofit entities that
provide intervention services, accompaniment, and supportive
social services.
(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this title:
(1) Accompaniment.--The term ``accompaniment'' means
assisting, representing, and accompanying a woman in seeking
judicial relief for child support, child custody, restraining
orders, and restitution for harm to persons and property, and
in filing criminal charges, and may include the payment of
court costs and reasonable attorney and witness fees associated
therewith.
(2) Eligible pregnant woman.--The term ``eligible pregnant
woman'' means any woman who is pregnant on the date on which
such woman becomes a victim of domestic violence, dating
violence, or stalking or who was pregnant during the one-year
period before such date.
(3) Intervention services.--The term ``intervention
services'' means, with respect to domestic violence, dating
violence, or stalking, 24-hour telephone hotline services for
police protection and referral to shelters.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' includes the District of
Columbia, any commonwealth, possession, or other territory of
the United States, and any Indian tribe or reservation.
(5) Supportive social services.--The term ``supportive
social services'' means transitional and permanent housing,
vocational counseling, and individual and group counseling
aimed at preventing domestic violence, dating violence, or
stalking.
(6) Violence.--The term ``violence'' means actual violence
and the risk or threat of violence.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of making
allotments under subsection (a), there are authorized to be
appropriated $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 703. HOMICIDE DEATH CERTIFICATES OF CERTAIN FEMALE VICTIMS.
For purposes of section 702(b)(2), the requirement under this
section is that not later than the date that is one year after the date
of the enactment of this title, a State shall require, with respect to
any homicide case initiated after such one-year date and in which the
victim is a female of possible child-bearing age, each of the
following:
(1) A determination of which, if any, of the following
categories, described the victim:
(A) The victim was pregnant on the date of her
death.
(B) The victim was not pregnant on the date of her
death, but had been pregnant during the 42-day period
before such date.
(C) The victim was not pregnant on the date of her
death, but had been pregnant during the period
beginning on the date that was one year before such
date of her death and ending on the date that was 43
days before such date of her death.
(D) The victim was not pregnant during the one-year
period before the date of her death.
(E) It could not be determined whether or not the
victim had been pregnant during the one-year period
before the date of her death.
(2) The determination made under paragraph (1) shall be
included in the death certificate of the victim.
TITLE VIII--PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
SEC. 801. GRANTS FOR INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE
TO ASSIST PREGNANT WOMEN IN CARRYING THEIR PREGNANCIES TO
TERM AND TO ASSIST NEW PARENTS.
(a) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants to States to increase
public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry
their pregnancy to term and to new parents.
(b) Use of Funds.--The Secretary may make a grant to a State under
this section only if the State agrees to use the grant for the
following:
(1) Identification of resources available to assist
pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term or to assist
new parents, or both.
(2) Conducting an advertising campaign to increase public
awareness of such resources.
(3) Establishing and maintaining a toll-free telephone line
to direct people to--
(A) organizations that provide support services for
pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term;
(B) adoption centers; and
(C) organizations that provide support services to
new parents.
(c) Prohibition.--The Secretary shall prohibit each State receiving
a grant under this section from using the grant to direct people to an
organization or adoption center that is for-profit.
(d) Identification of Resources.--The Secretary shall require each
State receiving a grant under this section to make publicly available
by means of the Internet (electronic and paper form) a list of the
following:
(1) The resources identified pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
(2) The organizations and adoption centers to which people
are directed pursuant to an advertising campaign or telephone
line funded under this section.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Secretary shall make such
funds available as may be necessary to carry out the activities of this
section.
TITLE IX--SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENTS
SEC. 901. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) pregnant college students should not have to make a
choice between keeping their baby and staying in school;
(2) the pilot program under this title will help
interested, eligible institutions of higher education establish
pregnancy and parenting student services offices that will
operate independent of Federal funding no later than 5 years
after the date of the enactment of this title; and
(3) amounts appropriated to carry out other Federal
programs should be reduced to offset the costs of this title.
SEC. 902. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Eligible institution of higher education.--The term
``eligible institution of higher education'' means an
institution of higher education (as such term is defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)) that has established and operates, or agrees to
establish and operate upon the receipt of a grant under this
title, a pregnant and parenting student services office
described in section 906.
(2) Parent; parenting.--The terms ``parent'' and
``parenting'' refer to a parent or legal guardian of a minor.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
SEC. 903. PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENT SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM.
From amounts appropriated under section 908 for a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants to eligible
institutions of higher education to enable the eligible institutions to
establish (or maintain) and operate pregnant and parenting student
services offices in accordance with section 906.
SEC. 904. APPLICATION; NUMBER OF GRANTS.
(a) Application.--An eligible institution of higher education that
desires to receive a grant under this title shall submit an application
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
(b) Requests for Additional Information.--The Secretary may require
an eligible institution submitting an application under subsection (a)
to provide additional information if the Secretary determines such
information is necessary to process the application.
(c) Number of Grants.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations under section 908, the Secretary shall award grants
under this title to no more than 200 eligible institutions.
SEC. 905. MATCHING REQUIREMENT.
An eligible institution of higher education that receives a grant
under this title shall contribute to the conduct of the pregnant and
parenting student services office supported by the grant an amount from
non-Federal funds equal to the amount of the grant. The non-Federal
share may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including services,
facilities, supplies, or equipment.
SEC. 906. USE OF FUNDS.
(a) In General.--An eligible institution of higher education that
receives a grant under this title shall use grant funds to establish
(or maintain) and operate a pregnant and parenting student services
office, located on the campus of the eligible institution, that carries
out the following programs and activities:
(1) Hosts an initial pregnancy and parenting resource
forum--
(A) to assess pregnancy and parenting resources,
located on the campus or within the local community,
that are available to meet the needs described in
paragraph (2); and
(B) to set goals for--
(i) improving such resources for pregnant,
parenting, and prospective parenting students;
and
(ii) improving access to such resources.
(2) Annually assesses the performance of the eligible
institution and the office in meeting the following needs of
students enrolled in the eligible institution who are pregnant
or are parents:
(A) The inclusion of maternity coverage and the
availability of riders for additional family members in
student health care.
(B) Family housing.
(C) Child care.
(D) Flexible or alternative academic scheduling,
such as telecommuting programs.
(E) Education to improve parenting skills for
mothers and fathers and to strengthen marriages.
(F) Maternity and baby clothing, baby food
(including formula), baby furniture, and similar items
to assist parents and prospective parents in meeting
the material needs of their children.
(G) Post-partum counseling and support groups.
(3) Identifies public and private service providers,
located on the campus of the eligible institution or within the
local community, that are qualified to meet the needs described
in paragraph (2), and establishes programs with qualified
providers to meet such needs.
(4) Assists pregnant and parenting students and their
spouses in locating and obtaining services that meet the needs
described in paragraph (2).
(5) If appropriate, provides referrals for prenatal care
and delivery, infant or foster care, or adoption, to a student
who requests such information. An office shall make such
referrals only to service providers that primarily serve the
following types of individuals:
(A) Parents.
(B) Prospective parents awaiting adoption.
(C) Women who are pregnant and plan on parenting or
placing the child for adoption.
(D) Parenting or prospective parenting couples who
are married or who plan on marrying in order to provide
a supportive environment for each other and their
child.
(b) Expanded Services.--In carrying out the programs and activities
described in subsection (a), an eligible institution of higher
education receiving a grant under this title may choose to provide
access to such programs and activities to a pregnant or parenting
employee of the eligible institution, and the employee's spouse.
SEC. 907. REPORTING.
(a) Annual Report by Institutions.--
(1) In general.--For each fiscal year that an eligible
institution of higher education receives a grant under this
title, the eligible institution shall prepare and submit to the
Secretary, by the date determined by the Secretary, a report
that--
(A) itemizes the pregnant and parenting student
services office's expenditures for the fiscal year;
(B) contains a review and evaluation of the
performance of the office in fulfilling the
requirements of this title, using the specific
performance criteria or standards established under
paragraph (2)(A); and
(C) describes the achievement of the office in
meeting the needs listed in section 906(a)(2) of the
students served by the eligible institution, and the
frequency of use of the office by such students.
(2) Performance criteria.--Not later than 180 days before
the date the annual report described in paragraph (1) is
submitted, the Secretary--
(A) shall identify the specific performance
criteria or standards that shall be used to prepare the
report; and
(B) may establish the form or format of the report.
(3) Additional information.--After reviewing an annual
report of an eligible institution of higher education, the
Secretary may require that the eligible institution provide
additional information if the Secretary determines that such
additional information is necessary to evaluate the pilot
program.
(b) Report by Secretary.--The Secretary shall annually prepare and
submit a report on the findings of the pilot program under this title,
including the number of eligible institutions of higher education that
were awarded grants and the number of students served by each pregnant
and parenting student services office receiving funds under this title,
to the appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 908. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title no
more than $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
TITLE X--SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS
SEC. 1001. GRANTS TO STATES.
The Secretary shall make grants to States to allow early childhood
education programs, including Head Start, to work with pregnant or
parenting teens to complete high school and prepare for college or for
vocational education.
TITLE XI--FEDERALLY-FUNDED HOMES FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN;
ADOPTION COUNSELING; PARENTING SKILLS
SEC. 1101. COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS.
With respect to any program of grants that is administered by the
Secretary and whose purposes include providing funds for group homes
for pregnant and parenting women, the Secretary shall require as a
condition of making such grants that the entities operating the group
homes provide to such women, upon request--
(1) adoption counseling; and
(2) counseling on parenting skills.
TITLE XII--EXPANSION OF ADOPTION CREDIT AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
SEC. 1201. EXPANSION OF ADOPTION CREDIT AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS.
(a) Increase in Dollar Limitation.--
(1) Adoption credit.--
(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 23(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to dollar
limitation) is amended by striking ``$10,000'' and
inserting ``$15,000''.
(B) Child with special needs.--Paragraph (3) of
section 23(a) of such Code (relating to $10,000 credit
for adoption of child with special needs regardless of
expenses) is amended--
(i) in the text by striking ``$10,000'' and
inserting ``$15,000'', and
(ii) in the heading by striking ``$10,000''
and inserting ``$15,000''.
(C) Conforming amendment to inflation adjustment.--
Subsection (h) of section 23 of such Code (relating to
adjustments for inflation) is amended to read as
follows:
``(h) Adjustments for Inflation.--
``(1) Dollar limitations.--In the case of a taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2008, each of the dollar amounts
in subsections (a)(3) and (b)(1) shall be increased by an
amount equal to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
`calendar year 2007' for `calendar year 1992' in
subparagraph (B) thereof.
If any amount as increased under the preceding sentence is not
a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.
``(2) Income limitation.--In the case of a taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2002, the dollar amount in
subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) shall be increased by an amount equal
to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
`calendar year 2001' for `calendar year 1992' in
subparagraph (B) thereof.
If any amount as increased under the preceding sentence is not
a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.''.
(2) Adoption assistance programs.--
(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 137(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to dollar
limitation) is amended by striking ``$10,000'' and
inserting ``$15,000''.
(B) Child with special needs.--Paragraph (2) of
section 137(a) of such Code (relating to $10,000
exclusion for adoption of child with special needs
regardless of expenses) is amended--
(i) in the text by striking ``$10,000'' and
inserting ``$15,000'', and
(ii) in the heading by striking ``$10,000''
and inserting ``$15,000''.
(C) Conforming amendment to inflation adjustment.--
Subsection (f) of section 137 of such Code (relating to
adjustments for inflation) is amended to read as
follows:
``(f) Adjustments for Inflation.--
``(1) Dollar limitations.--In the case of a taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2008, each of the dollar amounts
in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) shall be increased by an
amount equal to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
`calendar year 2007' for `calendar year 1992' in
subparagraph (B) thereof.
If any amount as increased under the preceding sentence is not
a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.
``(2) Income limitation.--In the case of a taxable year
beginning after December 31, 2002, the dollar amount in
subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
`calendar year 2001' for `calendar year 1992' in
subparagraph thereof.
If any amount as increased under the preceding sentence is not
a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.''.
(b) Credit Made Refundable.--
(1) Credit moved to subpart relating to refundable
credits.--The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(A) by redesignating section 36 as section 37,
(B) by redesignating section 23, as amended by
subsection (a), as section 36, and
(C) by moving section 36 (as so redesignated) from
subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 to
the location immediately before section 37 (as so
redesignated) in subpart C of part IV of subchapter A
of chapter 1.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 24(b)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by
striking ``sections 23 and'' and inserting ``section''.
(B) Section 25(e)(1)(C) of such Code is amended--
(i) in clause (i) by striking ``23, 25D,''
and inserting ``25D'', and
(ii) in clause (ii) by striking ``23,''.
(C) Section 25B(g)(2) of such Code is amended by
striking ``and section 23''.
(D) Section 25D(c)(2) of such Code is amended by
striking ``23, 24,'' and inserting ``24''.
(E) Section 26(a)(1) of such Code is amended by
striking ``23, 24'' and inserting ``24''.
(F) Section 36 of such Code, as so redesignated, is
amended--
(i) by striking paragraph (4) of subsection
(b), and
(ii) by striking subsection (c).
(G) Section 137 of such Code is amended--
(i) in subsection (d) by striking ``section
23(d)'' and inserting ``section 36(d)'', and
(ii) in subsection (e) by striking
``section 23'' and inserting ``section 36''.
(H) Section 904(i) of such Code is amended by
striking ``23, 24,'' and inserting ``24''.
(I) Section 1016(a)(26) is amended by striking
``23(g)'' and inserting ``36(g)''.
(J) Section 1400C(d) of such Code is amended by
striking ``23, 24,'' and inserting ``24''.
(K) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV
of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code of 1986 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 23.
(L) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by inserting ``or 36''
after ``section 35''.
(M) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV
of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by striking the last item and
inserting the following new items:
``Sec. 36. Adoption expenses.
``Sec. 37. Overpayments of tax.''.
(c) Modifications Made by EGTRRA to Adoption Credit Made
Permanent.--Title IX of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2001 shall not apply to the amendments made by
section 202 of such Act.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
TITLE XIII--PROVIDING SUPPORT TO NEW PARENTS
SEC. 1301. INCREASED SUPPORT FOR WIC PROGRAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The special supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants, and children (WIC) authorized in the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) serves over 8,000,000 women,
infants, and children.
(2) Half of all infants in the United States and 1 in 4
young children under age 5 get crucial health and nutrition
benefits from the WIC Program.
(3) It is estimated that every dollar spent on WIC results
in between $1.92 and $4.21 in Medicaid savings for newborns and
their mothers.
(4) The WIC program has been proven to increase the number
of women receiving prenatal care, reduce the incidence of low
birth weight and fetal mortality, reduce anemia, and enhance
the nutritional quality of the diet of mothers and children.
(5) The WIC program's essential, effective nutrition
services include nutrition assessment, counseling and
education, obesity prevention, breastfeeding support and
promotion, prenatal and pediatric health care referrals and
follow-up, spousal and child abuse referral, drug and alcohol
abuse referral, immunization screening, assessment and
referral, and a host of other services for mothers and
children.
(6) One in 10 people eligible to participate in the WIC
program are unable to receive WIC services.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and
children (WIC) (42 U.S.C. 1786), there is authorized to be appropriated
$5,388,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which there is authorized to be
appropriated $15,000,000 for breast-feeding peer counselors and
$14,000,000 for infrastructure needs.
SEC. 1302. NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME PARENTS.
Section 5(c)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(c)(2))
is amended by striking ``30 per centum'' and inserting ``85 percent''.
SEC. 1303. INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 658B of the Child
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 658B. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subchapter $2,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be
necessary for fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 658E(c)(3)(D) of the Child Care
and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(3)(D)) is
amended by striking ``1997 through 2002'' and inserting ``2008 through
2012''.
SEC. 1304. TEENAGE OR FIRST-TIME MOTHERS; FREE HOME VISITS BY
REGISTERED NURSES FOR EDUCATION ON HEALTH NEEDS OF
INFANTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to local health
departments to provide to eligible mothers, without charge, education
on the health needs of their infants through visits to their homes by
registered nurses.
(b) Eligible Mother.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a), a woman is
an eligible mother if, subject to paragraph (2), the woman--
(A) is the mother of an infant who is not more than
12 months of age; and
(B)(i) the woman was under the age of 20 at the
time of birth; or
(ii) the infant referred to in subparagraph (A) is
the first child of the woman.
(2) Additional requirements for certain mothers.--In the
case of a woman described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) who is 20
years of age or older, the woman is an eligible mother for
purposes of subsection (a) only if the woman meets such
standards in addition to the applicable standards under
paragraph (1) as the local health department involved
determines to be appropriate.
(c) Certain Requirements.--A grant may be made under subsection (a)
only if the applicant involved agrees as follows:
(1) The program carried out under such subsection by the
applicant will be designed to instill in eligible mothers
confidence in their abilities to provide for the health needs
of their newborns, including through--
(A) providing information on child development; and
(B) soliciting questions from the mothers.
(2) The registered nurses who make home visits under
subsection (a) will, as needed, provide referrals for health
and social services to serve the needs of the newborns.
(3) The period during which the visits will be available to
an eligible mother will not be fewer than six months.
(4) An eligible mother will not receive more than one visit
each month during the period in which such visits are available
to the woman.
(d) Authorized Services.--
(1) Requirements.--A grant may be made under subsection (a)
only if the applicant involved agrees that the following
services will be provided by registered nurses in home visits
under subsection (a):
(A) Information on child health and development,
including suggestions for child-developmental
activities that are enjoyable for parents and children.
(B) Advice on parenting, including information on
how to develop a strong parent-child relationship.
(C) Information on resources about parenting,
including identifying books and videos that are
available at local libraries.
(D) Information on upcoming parenting workshops in
the local region.
(E) Information on programs that facilitate parent-
to-parent support services.
(F) In the case of an eligible mother who is a
student, information on resources that may assist the
mother in completing the educational courses involved.
(2) Additional services.--A grant under subsection (a) may
be expended to provide services during home visits under such
subsection in addition to the services specified in paragraph
(1).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000
for fiscal year 2008.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Executive Comment Requested from USDA.