Grants to grow and diversify the nursing workforce in maternal and perinatal health

Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 811 (42 U.S.C. 296j) the following: 812. Perinatal nursing workforce grants (a) In general The Secretary shall award grants to schools of nursing to grow and diversify the perinatal nursing workforce. (b) Use of funds Recipients of grants under this section shall use the grants to grow and diversify the perinatal nursing workforce by providing scholarships to students seeking to become— (1) nurse practitioners whose education includes a focus on maternal and perinatal health; (2) certified nurse-midwives; or (3) clinical nurse specialists whose education includes a focus on maternal and perinatal health. (c) Prioritization In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to any school of nursing that— (1) has developed a strategy to recruit and retain a diverse pool of students seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health, particularly students from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations; (2) has developed a partnership with a practice setting in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332 for the clinical placements of the school’s students; (3) has developed a strategy to recruit and retain students who plan to practice in an area with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent practicable; and (4) includes in the standard curriculum for all students seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes education on implicit bias and racism. (d) Reporting As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, a school of nursing shall agree to submit to the Secretary an annual report on the activities conducted through the grant, including, to the extent practicable— (1) the number and demographics of students in the school of nursing seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health; (2) the extent to which such students are preparing to enter careers in— (A) health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and (B) areas with elevated rates of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes, to the extent such data are available; and (3) whether the standard curriculum for all students seeking to enter careers focused on maternal and perinatal health includes a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes education on implicit bias and racism. (e) Period of grants The period of a grant under this section shall be up to 5 years. (f) Application To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including any information necessary for prioritization under subsection (c). (g) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide, directly or by contract, technical assistance to schools of nursing seeking or receiving a grant under this section on the processes of awarding and evaluating scholarships through the grant. (h) Report by the Secretary Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress, and post on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report on the effectiveness of the grant program under this section at— (1) recruiting students from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations; (2) increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses entering careers focused on maternal and perinatal health from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations; (3) increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses entering careers focused on maternal and perinatal health working in health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and (4) increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses entering careers focused on maternal and perinatal health working in areas with significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent such data are available. (i) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031..