SLS 22RS-2860 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 131
BY SENATOR CATHEY
WOMEN. Establishes the Study Commission on Maternal Health and Wellbeing to make
recommendations on connecting pregnant women and new mothers, particularly in rural and
underserved areas, with resources for the health and wellbeing of the mother and child.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To create and provide for the Study Commission on Maternal Health and Wellbeing to
3 research and make recommendations on connecting pregnant women and new
4 mothers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, with resources for the health and
5 wellbeing of the mother and child.
6 WHEREAS, research indicates maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and
7 unexpected outcomes of pregnancy and birth resulting in significant health consequences are
8 rising in the United States and these outcomes occur more frequently in Louisiana than in
9 other states; and
10 WHEREAS, addressing maternal mental health concerns has been identified as a
11 critical need by the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal
12 Care and the Prevention of Infant Mortality, the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality
13 Review, the Louisiana Pritzker Children's Initiative, the Senate Select Committee on Women
14 and Children, and various other commissions, councils, and advisory boards in Louisiana;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Advisory Council, which was
17 charged with assessing equity and community engagement in state initiatives addressing
18 maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, recommended that the state "ensure
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SLS 22RS-2860 ORIGINAL
1 adequate access to high quality behavioral health services for pregnant and postpartum
2 women, from early identification through screening and linkage to care and treatment for
3 maternal mental health needs and substance abuse disorders"; and
4 WHEREAS, ensuring good maternal health must be a priority for our state because
5 it improves the quality of life for our Louisiana families and reduces costs in the long term.
6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
7 does hereby establish and provide for the Study Commission on Maternal Health and
8 Wellbeing to research best practices for connecting pregnant women and new mothers,
9 particularly in rural and underserved areas, with resources for the health and wellbeing of
10 the mother and child.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study commission shall consist of the
12 following members:
13 (1) One member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee appointed by the
14 chairman of the committee.
15 (2) One member of the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children appointed
16 by the chairwoman of the committee.
17 (3) One member of the Louisiana Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
18 (4) One member with experience in maternal care appointed by the secretary of the
19 Department of Children and Family Services.
20 (5) One member with experience in maternal care appointed by the secretary of the
21 Louisiana Department of Health.
22 (6) Two members who are affiliated with the Guiding Recovery and Creating
23 Empowerment program, one of whom is a licensed social worker and one of whom is a
24 licensed physician, appointed by the president of Woman's Hospital.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each appointing authority shall submit the names
26 of appointees for the study commission to the Louisiana Department of Health no later than
27 August 1, 2022.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the study commission shall convene for its first
29 meeting no later than September 1, 2022, and at the first meeting, the members shall elect
30 a chairman and other officers as the study commission may deem appropriate.
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SLS 22RS-2860 ORIGINAL
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health and the
2 Department of Children and Family Services shall provide support staff to the study
3 commission.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study commission shall do all of the
5 following:
6 (1) Identify and assess the functions and activities of existing state efforts and service
7 systems focused on the health and wellbeing of women before, during, and after childbirth.
8 (2) Seek ways to address a reduction of adverse maternal-health behaviors during
9 pregnancy, dysfunctional infant caregiving, and stressful environmental conditions that
10 interfere with parental and family functioning.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study commission may engage, consult with,
12 and obtain information and perspective from appropriate state entities, healthcare
13 stakeholders, or any entity or individual with an interest in improving maternal health and
14 wellbeing.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the study commission shall
16 constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the study
17 commission shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the study commission shall
19 serve without compensation except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may
20 be individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the study commission shall submit its findings and
22 recommendations, together with specific proposals for legislation, by written report to the
23 Senate Health and Welfare Committee and to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research
24 Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than February 1, 2023.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study commission shall terminate on the date
26 of the submission of its report or December 31, 2022, whichever occurs first.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
28 secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
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SLS 22RS-2860 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon.
DIGEST
SR 131 Original 2022 Regular Session Cathey
Provides for the Study Commission on Maternal Health and Wellbeing to make
recommendations on connecting pregnant women and new mothers, particularly in rural and
underserved areas, with resources for the health and wellbeing of the mother and child.
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