Funding for maternal mortality review committees to promote representative community engagement

(a) In general Section 317K(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b–12(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (9) Grants to promote representative community engagement in maternal mortality review committees (A) In general The Secretary may, using funds made available pursuant to subparagraph (C), provide assistance to an applicable maternal mortality review committee of a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Urban Indian organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act)— (i) to select for inclusion in the membership of such a committee community members from the State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Urban Indian organization by— (I) prioritizing community members who can increase the diversity of the committee’s membership with respect to race and ethnicity, location, personal or family experiences of maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity, and professional background, including members with nonclinical experiences; and (II) to the extent applicable, using funds reserved under subsection (f), to address barriers to maternal mortality review committee participation for community members, including required training, transportation barriers, compensation, and other supports as may be necessary; (ii) to establish initiatives to conduct outreach and community engagement efforts within communities throughout the State or Tribe to seek input from community members on the work of such maternal mortality review committee, with a particular focus on outreach to women from racial and ethnic minority groups (as such term is defined in section 1707(g)(1)); and (iii) to release public reports assessing— (I) the pregnancy-related death and pregnancy-associated death review processes of the maternal mortality review committee, with a particular focus on the maternal mortality review committee’s sensitivity to the unique circumstances of pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups (as such term is defined in section 1707(g)(1)) who have suffered pregnancy-related deaths; and (II) the impact of the use of funds made available pursuant to subparagraph (C) on increasing the diversity of the maternal mortality review committee membership and promoting community engagement efforts throughout the State or Tribe. (B) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide (either directly through the Department of Health and Human Services or by contract) technical assistance to any maternal mortality review committee receiving a grant under this paragraph on best practices for increasing the diversity of the maternal mortality review committee’s membership and for conducting effective community engagement throughout the State or Tribe. (C) Authorization of appropriations In addition to any funds made available under subsection (f), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.. (b) Reservation of funds Section 317K(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b–12(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Of the amount made available under the preceding sentence for a fiscal year, not less than $1,500,000 shall be reserved for grants to Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Urban Indian organizations (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act).