Standing with Moms Act
Standing with Moms Act
Plain Language Summary
# Standing with Moms Act Summary **What the bill would do:** The Standing with Moms Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create two new online resources for pregnant women. First, it would establish a public website called life.gov that lists pregnancy-related resources available through government agencies and private organizations. Second, HHS would create a portal on its website that provides personalized information based on a woman's zip code and answers to questions—including information about abortion risks and alternatives to abortion. The bill also allows HHS to offer grants to states to help them compile pregnancy resource information for inclusion in the portal. **Who it affects and key details:** This bill would primarily affect pregnant women seeking information about pregnancy options and resources.
It also involves state governments, which would be asked to recommend resources meeting federal criteria, and various healthcare and social service organizations that provide pregnancy-related services. The portal would include follow-up outreach options (with user consent), and HHS would develop a plan for how this outreach would work. **Current status:** HR 688 is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Standing with Moms ActThis bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources, including information about abortion risks and alternatives.Specifically, HHS must create a public website called life.gov that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities.Additionally, HHS must create on its existing website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for inclusion in the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include in the portal.Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about the new website and portal through the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.HHS must also ensure that the new website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English.The new website, portal, and hotline may not include resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities.The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to the new website and portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.