In miscellaneous provisions, providing for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood engagement in maternal health; and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.
Impact
The legislation mandates educational outreach to healthcare providers regarding the benefits of fatherhood engagement. It aims to increase awareness and support for fathers by ensuring they are incorporated into maternal health discussions, which is expected to lead to improved health outcomes for both mothers and children. By promoting father involvement, the bill is aligned with broader efforts to enhance family health and wellbeing, countering narratives that diminish the importance of fathers in maternal health.
Summary
House Bill 1212 seeks to enhance fatherhood engagement in maternal health, recognizing the significant role that fathers can play in improving health outcomes for mothers and infants. This bill amends Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by incorporating provisions that facilitate greater involvement of fathers during prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care. It emphasizes the importance of paternal participation to ensure that mothers receive timely care and support, ultimately addressing issues such as maternal mortality and childhood development.
Sentiment
General sentiment around HB 1212 appears supportive, particularly among advocates of family health and social services, as it recognizes and promotes the critical role of fathers in the parenting process. However, there may be some contention regarding how effectively the bill will be implemented and whether it will succeed in overcoming cultural barriers that limit father involvement in maternal health issues. Overall, the proposal has been received positively amongst those aware of the benefits emerging from increased father engagement.
Contention
Despite the prevailing support, there are concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and resources for public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives outlined in the bill. Critics may argue that without proper funding, the intended outreach may fall short, diluting the effectiveness of the bill. Additionally, there may be debates on how engaging fathers could disrupt existing maternal care practices or if it might unintentionally place additional pressure on mothers during sensitive times.
In assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault and for probable cause arrests in domestic violence cases; repealing provisions relating to abortion; in incapacitated persons, further providing for provisions concerning powers, duties and liabilities; providing for reproductive rights; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and imposing penalties.
Requiring information relating to perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and resources to be provided to pregnant patients; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Health.
Providing for lead screening and related services, for health insurance coverage for lead screening and related diagnostic services and supplies and for duties of the Department of Health.
Providing for healthy outdoor public grounds; and imposing duties on the Department of Health, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture.
A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, regional centers of excellence, a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program, state employee parental leave, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1139.)
A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, regional centers of excellence, a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program, state employee parental leave, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 324.)
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that fatherhood is essential to the development of all children, and that the increased involvement of fathers in the home will lead to economic prosperity, educational excellence, and improved social mobility for children across all racial and ethnic groups.
A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for regional centers of excellence, a state-funded family medicine obstetrical fellowship program, self-administered hormonal contraceptives, maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 91.)