“To improve research and data collection on stillbirths, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a stillbirth research and data collection improvements program (new section 317L–2 of the Public Health Service Act). Subsection (a) authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states for conducting stillbirth surveillance and data collection—including from State or sub-State Fetal and Infant Mortality Review datasets—building public health capacity to assess such data, and reporting stillbirth risk factors and outcomes, with data required to be deidentified and compliant with privacy laws. To carry out this subsection, $5 million is authorized for each of FY2026 through FY2030. Subsection (b) directs the Secretary to issue guidelines to state health departments and vital statistics units on collecting stillbirth data from health care providers (with patient consent), including clinical history, postmortem examinations, and placental pathology, and on standardizing data processes and training; and to develop and publicly disseminate educational materials on stillbirths, developed in consultation with specified stakeholders (e.g., health professional associations, families who experienced stillbirths). To carry out this subsection, $1 million is authorized for each of FY2026 through FY2030. Subsection (c) defines "vital statistics unit" as the entity responsible for maintaining a state's (or political subdivision's) vital records, including fetal deaths.
This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, not later than five years after enactment, to publish on a public Department of Health and Human Services website a report with educational guidelines on stillbirth and stillbirth risk factors. The report must include, to the extent practicable and appropriate, guidelines issued and educational awareness materials developed under section 317L–2 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 2 of this Act.