Protect Moms From Domestic Violence Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4387
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-06T19:52:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Protect Moms From Domestic Violence Act aims to investigate how intimate partner violence (such as domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and related traumas) increases risks of maternal morbidity (serious health conditions linked to pregnancy or childbirth) and mortality (death during or within one year after pregnancy). It also funds innovative programs and provides guidance to improve health outcomes for affected pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Key Provisions
- Study by National Academy of Medicine (Sec. 2): The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must contract with the National Academy of Medicine (or similar entity) to examine:
- How violence, trauma, or psychiatric disorders raise risks of suicide, homicide, substance use, overdose, or poor birth outcomes in pregnant/postpartum people.
- Their role as social determinants of health (non-medical factors like violence that affect health).
- Special focus on diverse groups: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, LGBTQIA2S+, and adolescent mothers.
- Grants for Innovative Approaches (Sec. 3): HHS awards grants to eligible entities (e.g., states, tribes, nonprofits, health centers, hospitals, universities) for programs like culturally relevant education campaigns. Priorities include addressing violence in pregnant/postpartum people, bias training, Tribal centers, and maternal health surveillance. HHS must report best practices to Congress every 3 years starting 3 years after enactment. Authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2027–2029.
- Guidance (Sec. 4): Within 2 years, HHS issues guidance to states, tribes, health providers, and managed care on:
- Universal education on healthy relationships and violence screening.
- Routine assessments for violence and mental/behavioral health.
- Trauma-informed care (care sensitive to past trauma) and partnerships with community organizations.
- Definitions (Sec. 5): Clarifies terms like maternal morbidity (pregnancy-aggravated health issues with lasting effects), maternal mortality (pregnancy-related death, including suicide/homicide/overdose), and postpartum (12 months after birth).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces entirely new requirements: a dedicated study, grant program, and federal guidance. It does not amend existing laws but builds on them by integrating violence prevention into maternal health efforts, referencing acts like the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and Social Security Act for eligibility.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS (including HRSA, ACF, IHS, Mental Health/Substance Use), VA, and Congress face new duties for studies, grants, reports, and guidance, with dedicated funding.
- Citizens: Improves access to violence screening, education, and trauma care for pregnant/postpartum survivors, potentially reducing morbidity/mortality, especially in underserved communities. Enhances maternal health surveillance and equity.
- International Relations: None.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Agencies: HHS divisions, Indian Health Service, VA.
- State/Local/Tribal Governments: States, tribes, Tribal epidemiology centers.
- Health Providers: Hospitals, clinics, federally qualified health centers, birth centers, behavioral health clinics.
- Community Organizations: Nonprofits focused on violence prevention/intervention, substance use programs.
- Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant/postpartum victims of violence/trauma, diverse racial/ethnic groups (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, LGBTQIA2S+), adolescent mothers.
- Others: Universities, VA facilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands HHS authority without overriding state laws; promotes evidence-based policy via independent study. Grant priorities emphasize equity and cultural relevance, aligning with federal anti-discrimination standards.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; supports equal protection by targeting health disparities.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Sens. Shaheen and Murkowski); focuses on public health crisis of maternal mortality, potentially influencing future funding and violence prevention policies. Authorizations are time-limited, requiring reappropriation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Protect Moms From Domestic Violence Act — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (9 pages)