Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1239
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 16-18-2; IC 16-41-17.5.
Synopsis: Stillbirth prevention program. Establishes the stillbirth
prevention through fetal movement pilot program (program) for the
purpose of providing evidence based information on the importance of
tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent
stillbirths, to be administered by the Indiana department of health (state
department). Allows the state department to award grants to increase
education and the distribution of materials on tracking fetal movement
in the third trimester of pregnancy. Requires grantees to report
specified information on a quarterly and annual basis. Creates a fund
and appropriates $250,000 for the program. Expires the program
December 31, 2027.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Summers
January 9, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health.
2025 IN 1239—LS 6906/DI 104 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
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between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1239
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
health and to make an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 16-18-2-294.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.208-2015,
2 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 294.5. (a) "Program", for purposes of IC 16-40-4,
4 has the meaning set forth in IC 16-40-4-3.
5 (b) "Program", for purposes of IC 16-41-7.5, has the meaning set
6 forth in IC 16-41-7.5-2.
7 (c) "Program", for purposes of IC 16-41-17.5, has the meaning
8 set forth in IC 16-41-17.5-1.
9 (c) (d) "Program", for purposes of IC 16-47-1, has the meaning set
10 forth in IC 16-47-1-3.
11 SECTION 2. IC 16-18-2-341, AS AMENDED BY P.L.31-2019,
12 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
13 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 341. "Stillbirth", for purposes of IC 16-37,
14 IC 16-41-17.5, and IC 16-49-6, means a birth after twenty (20) weeks
15 of gestation that is not a live birth.
16 SECTION 3. IC 16-41-17.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
17 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
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1 JULY 1, 2025]:
2 Chapter 17.5. Prevention and Treatment Programs: Stillbirth
3 Prevention Through Fetal Movement Pilot Program
4 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the stillbirth
5 prevention through fetal movement pilot program established by
6 section 2 of this chapter.
7 Sec. 2. The stillbirth prevention through fetal movement pilot
8 program is established for the purpose of providing evidence based
9 information on the importance of tracking fetal movement in the
10 third trimester of pregnancy to prevent stillbirths in Indiana.
11 Sec. 3. (a) The state department shall establish a grant as part
12 of the program. The state department may award a grant to be
13 used for the following:
14 (1) Developing and distributing evidence based education
15 materials about the importance of tracking fetal movement in
16 the third trimester of pregnancy to the following that provide
17 education to maternal health providers:
18 (A) Community organizations.
19 (B) Hospitals.
20 (C) Birthing centers.
21 (D) Maternal health providers.
22 (E) State educational institutions that educate maternal
23 health providers.
24 (2) Providing maternal health providers and expectant
25 parents in Indiana with access to free evidence based
26 educational materials on fetal movement tracking, including
27 brochures, posters, continuing education materials, and
28 digital resources.
29 (3) Assisting in raising awareness with health care providers
30 concerning the following:
31 (A) Materials described in subdivisions (1) and (2).
32 (B) The importance of tracking fetal movement in the third
33 trimester of pregnancy through an education campaign
34 and by offering at least three (3) webinars or conferences
35 per year.
36 (C) The availability of free education materials described
37 in this subsection.
38 (b) A grant recipient shall provide the state department with the
39 following information at least on a quarterly basis:
40 (1) The number of educational materials distributed by the
41 grantee, by ZIP code and type of facility or organization that
42 received the materials.
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1 (2) The number of fetal movement tracking application
2 downloads attributed to the pilot program, by ZIP code
3 within Indiana.
4 (3) The number of health care providers that participated in
5 any training program, webinar, conference, or other
6 awareness events provided by the grantee.
7 (c) A grant recipient shall provide the state department with the
8 information on an annual basis concerning how the pilot program
9 has affected the fetal death rates in the state, dividing the
10 information of the rates by race and ZIP code within Indiana.
11 Sec. 4. (a) The stillbirth prevention through fetal movement
12 pilot program fund is established for the purpose of providing
13 evidence based information on the importance of tracking fetal
14 movement in the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent stillbirths
15 in Indiana. The fund shall be administered by the state department.
16 (b) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
17 money in the fund.
18 (c) The treasurer of state shall invest money in the fund not
19 currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
20 manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that
21 accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
22 (d) Money in the fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants,
23 and donations from public or private sources. Money in the fund
24 at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general
25 fund.
26 Sec. 5. This chapter expires December 31, 2027.
27 SECTION 4. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025] (a) There is
28 appropriated to the stillbirth prevention through fetal movement
29 pilot program fund established by IC 16-41-17.5-4, as added by this
30 act:
31 (1) for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending
32 June 30, 2026, one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars
33 ($125,000); and
34 (2) for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending
35 June 30, 2027, one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars
36 ($125,000);
37 from the state general fund for use by the Indiana department of
38 health to carry out the purposes of IC 16-41-17.5, as added by this
39 act.
40 (b) This SECTION expires July 1, 2027.
2025 IN 1239—LS 6906/DI 104