H.R. 8397

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8397 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8397

To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 21, 2026

Ms. Underwood (for herself, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Norton, Ms. 
Moore of Wisconsin, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Johnson 
of Georgia, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Ivey, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Menefee, 
Mr. Bell, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. DelBene, Mr. 
Garamendi, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Stansbury, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. 
Figures, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Mr. Veasey, Mrs. Beatty, 
Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Sewell, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Jackson 
of Illinois, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Craig, 
Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. Grijalva, Mr. Carson, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Latimer, Ms. 
Johnson of Texas, Mr. Soto, Ms. Adams, and Ms. Pou) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Moms and Babies Against 
Climate Change Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.--The term 
``adverse maternal and infant health outcomes'' includes the 
outcomes of preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, infant 
or maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term 
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001).
(3) Maternal mortality.--The term ``maternal mortality'' 
means a death occurring during or within a 1-year period after 
pregnancy, caused by pregnancy-related or childbirth 
complications, including a suicide, overdose, or other death 
resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder 
attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth 
complications.
(4) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an entity specified in any of 
paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(5) Perinatal health worker.--The term ``perinatal health 
worker'' means a nonclinical health worker focused on maternal 
or perinatal health, such as a doula, community health worker, 
peer supporter, lactation educator or counselor, nutritionist 
or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, home visitor, 
patient navigator or coordinator, or language interpreter.
(6) Racial and ethnic minority group.--The term ``racial 
and ethnic minority group'' has the meaning given such term in 
section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300u-6(g)).
(7) Risks associated with climate change.--The term ``risks 
associated with climate change'' includes risks associated with 
extreme heat, air pollution, extreme weather events, and other 
environmental issues associated with climate change that can 
result in adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services.
(9) Severe maternal morbidity.--The term ``severe maternal 
morbidity'' means a health condition, including mental health 
conditions and substance use disorders, attributed to or 
aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth that results in 
significant short-term or long-term consequences to the health 
of the individual who was pregnant.
(10) Stakeholder organization.--The term ``stakeholder 
organization'' means--
(A) a community-based organization with expertise 
in providing assistance to vulnerable individuals;
(B) a nonprofit organization with expertise in--
(i) maternal or infant health; or
(ii) environmental or climate justice; and
(C) a patient advocacy organization representing 
vulnerable individuals.
(11) Vulnerable individual.--The term ``vulnerable 
individual'' means--
(A) an individual who is pregnant;
(B) an individual who was pregnant during any 
portion of the preceding 1-year period; and
(C) an individual under 3 years of age.

SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM TO PROTECT VULNERABLE MOTHERS AND BABIES FROM 
CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a grant program to 
protect vulnerable individuals from risks associated with climate 
change.
(b) Grant Authority.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
may award, on a competitive basis, grants to 10 covered entities.
(c) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a 
covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, which shall include, at a minimum, a description of the 
following:
(1) Plans for the use of grant funds awarded under the 
Program and how patients and stakeholder organizations were 
involved in the development of such plans.
(2) How such grant funds will be targeted to geographic 
areas that have disproportionately high levels of risks 
associated with climate change for vulnerable individuals.
(3) How such grant funds will be used to address racial and 
ethnic disparities in--
(A) adverse maternal and infant health outcomes; 
and
(B) exposure to risks associated with climate 
change for vulnerable individuals.
(4) Strategies to prevent an initiative assisted with such 
grant funds from causing--
(A) adverse environmental impacts;
(B) displacement of residents and businesses;
(C) rent and housing price increases; or
(D) disproportionate adverse impacts on racial and 
ethnic minority groups and other underserved 
populations.
(d) Selection of Grant Recipients.--
(1) Timing.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall select the 
recipients of grants under the Program.
(2) Consultation.--In selecting covered entities for grants 
under the Program, the Secretary shall consult with--
(A) representatives of stakeholder organizations;
(B) the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency;
(C) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration; and
(D) from the Department of Health and Human 
Services--
(i) the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Minority Health;
(ii) the Administrator of the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services;
(iii) the Administrator of the Health 
Resources and Services Administration;
(iv) the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health; and
(v) the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
(3) Priority.--In selecting grantees under the Program, the 
Secretary shall give priority to covered entities that serve a 
county or locality--
(A) designated, or located in an area designated, 
as a nonattainment area pursuant to section 107 of the 
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407) for any air pollutant 
for which air quality criteria have been issued under 
section 108(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7408(a));
(B) with a level of vulnerability of moderate-to-
high or higher, according to the Social Vulnerability 
Index of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, or a similar rating of social vulnerability 
according to related Federal mapping tools;
(C) with temperatures that pose a risk to human 
health, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and the Chair of the United 
States Global Change Research Program, based on the 
best available science;
(D) with elevated rates of maternal mortality, 
severe maternal morbidity, maternal health disparities, 
or other adverse perinatal or childbirth outcomes;
(E) with a rating of very high or relatively high 
risk according to the National Risk Index for Natural 
Hazards of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; or
(F) with other climate-sensitive hazards with 
associations to adverse maternal or infant health 
outcomes, as determined by the Secretary.
(4) Limitation.--A recipient of grant funds under the 
Program may not use such grant funds to serve a county or 
locality that is served by any other recipient of a grant under 
the Program.
(e) Use of Funds.--A covered entity awarded grant funds under the 
Program may only use such grant funds for the following:
(1) Initiatives to identify risks associated with climate 
change for vulnerable individuals and to provide services and 
support to such individuals that address such risks, which may 
include--
(A) training for health care providers, perinatal 
health workers, and other employees in hospitals, birth 
centers, midwifery practices, and other health care 
practices that provide prenatal or labor and delivery 
services to vulnerable individuals on the 
identification of, and patient counseling relating to, 
risks associated with climate change for vulnerable 
individuals;
(B) hiring, training, or providing resources to 
perinatal health workers who can help identify risks 
associated with climate change for vulnerable 
individuals, provide patient counseling about such 
risks, and carry out the distribution of relevant 
services and support;
(C) enhancing the monitoring of risks associated 
with climate change for vulnerable individuals, 
including by--
(i) collecting data on such risks in 
specific census tracts, neighborhoods, or other 
geographic areas; and
(ii) sharing such data with local health 
care providers, perinatal health workers, and 
other employees in hospitals, birth centers, 
midwifery practices, and other health care 
practices that provide prenatal or labor and 
delivery services to local vulnerable 
individuals; and
(D) providing vulnerable individuals--
(i) air conditioning units, residential 
weatherization support, filtration systems, 
household appliances, or related items;
(ii) direct financial assistance; and
(iii) services and support, including 
housing assistance, evacuation assistance, 
transportation assistance, access to cooling 
shelters, and mental health counseling, to 
prepare for or recover from extreme weather 
events, which may include floods, hurricanes, 
wildfires, droughts, and related events.
(2) Initiatives to mitigate levels of and exposure to risks 
associated with climate change for vulnerable individuals, 
which shall be based on the best available science and which 
may include initiatives to--
(A) develop, maintain, or expand urban or community 
forestry initiatives and tree canopy coverage 
initiatives;
(B) improve infrastructure, such as buildings and 
paved surfaces;
(C) develop or improve community outreach networks 
to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate 
information and notifications about risks associated 
with climate change for vulnerable individuals; and
(D) provide enhanced services to racial and ethnic 
minority groups and other underserved populations.
(f) Length of Award.--A grant under this section shall be disbursed 
over 4 fiscal years.
(g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
assistance to a covered entity awarded a grant under the Program to 
support the development, implementation, and evaluation of activities 
funded with such grant.
(h) Reports to Secretary.--
(1) Annual report.--For each fiscal year during which a 
covered entity is disbursed grant funds under the Program, such 
covered entity shall submit to the Secretary a report that 
summarizes the activities carried out by such covered entity 
with such grant funds during such fiscal year, which shall 
include a description of the following:
(A) The involvement of stakeholder organizations in 
the implementation of initiatives assisted with such 
grant funds.
(B) Relevant health and environmental data, 
disaggregated, to the extent practicable, by race, 
ethnicity, primary language, socioeconomic status, 
geography, insurance type, pregnancy status, and other 
relevant demographic information.
(C) Qualitative feedback received from vulnerable 
individuals with respect to initiatives assisted with 
such grant funds.
(D) Criteria used in selecting the geographic areas 
assisted with such grant funds.
(E) Efforts to address racial and ethnic 
disparities in adverse maternal and infant health 
outcomes and in exposure to risks associated with 
climate change for vulnerable individuals.
(F) Any negative and unintended impacts of 
initiatives assisted with such grant funds, including--
(i) adverse environmental impacts;
(ii) displacement of residents and 
businesses;
(iii) rent and housing price increases; and
(iv) disproportionate adverse impacts on 
racial and ethnic minority groups and other 
underserved populations.
(G) How the covered entity will address and prevent 
any impacts described in subparagraph (F).
(2) Publication.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
which a report is submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall publish such report on a public website of the Department 
of Health and Human Services.
(i) Report to Congress.--Not later than the date that is 5 years 
after the date on which the Program is established, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress and publish on a public website of the Department of 
Health and Human Services a report on the results of the Program, 
including the following:
(1) Summaries of the annual reports submitted under 
subsection (h).
(2) Evaluations of the initiatives assisted with grant 
funds under the Program.
(3) An assessment of the effectiveness of the Program in--
(A) identifying risks associated with climate 
change for vulnerable individuals;
(B) providing services and support to such 
individuals;
(C) mitigating levels of and exposure to such 
risks; and
(D) addressing racial and ethnic disparities in 
adverse maternal and infant health outcomes and in 
exposure to such risks.
(4) A description of how the Program could be expanded, 
including--
(A) monitoring efforts or data collection that 
would be required to identify areas with high levels of 
risks associated with climate change for vulnerable 
individuals;
(B) how such areas could be identified using the 
strategy developed under section 6; and
(C) recommendations for additional funding.
(j) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered entity'' means a consortium of 
organizations serving a county that--
(A) shall include a community-based organization; 
and
(B) may include--
(i) another stakeholder organization;
(ii) the government of such county;
(iii) the governments of one or more 
municipalities within such county;
(iv) a State or local public health 
department or emergency management agency;
(v) a local health care practice, which may 
include a licensed and accredited hospital, 
birth center, midwifery practice, or other 
health care practice that provides prenatal or 
labor and delivery services to vulnerable 
individuals;
(vi) an Indian tribe or Tribal organization 
(as such terms are defined in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
(vii) an Urban Indian organization (as 
defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)); and
(viii) an institution of higher education.
(2) The term ``Program'' means the grant program under this 
section.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for the period of 
fiscal years 2027 through 2030.

SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AT HEALTH PROFESSION 
SCHOOLS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
establish a grant program to provide funds to health profession schools 
to support the development and integration of education and training 
programs for identifying and addressing risks associated with climate 
change for vulnerable individuals.
(b) Grant Authority.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
may award, on a competitive basis, grants to health profession schools.
(c) Application.--To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a 
health profession school shall submit to the Secretary an application 
at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require, which shall include, at a minimum, a description 
of the following:
(1) How such health profession school will engage with 
vulnerable individuals, and stakeholder organizations 
representing such individuals, in developing and implementing 
the education and training programs supported by grant funds 
awarded under the Program.
(2) How such health profession school will ensure that such 
education and training programs will address racial and ethnic 
disparities in exposure to, and the effects of, risks 
associated with climate change for vulnerable individuals.
(d) Use of Funds.--A health profession school awarded a grant under 
the Program shall use the grant funds to develop, and integrate into 
the curriculum and continuing education of such health profession 
school, education and training on each of the following:
(1) Identifying risks associated with climate change for 
vulnerable individuals and individuals with the intent to 
become pregnant.
(2) How risks associated with climate change affect 
vulnerable individuals and individuals with the intent to 
become pregnant.
(3) Racial and ethnic disparities in exposure to, and the 
effects of, risks associated with climate change for vulnerable 
individuals and individuals with the intent to become pregnant.
(4) Patient counseling and mitigation strategies relating 
to risks associated with climate change for vulnerable 
individuals.
(5) Relevant services and support for vulnerable 
individuals relating to risks associated with climate change 
and strategies for ensuring vulnerable individuals have access 
to such services and support.
(6) Implicit and explicit bias, racism, and discrimination.
(7) Related topics identified by such health profession 
school based on the engagement of such health profession school 
with vulnerable individuals and stakeholder organizations 
representing such individuals.
(e) Partnerships.--In carrying out activities with grant funds, a 
health profession school awarded a grant under the Program may partner 
with one or more of the following:
(1) A State or local public health department.
(2) A health care professional membership organization.
(3) A stakeholder organization.
(4) A health profession school.
(5) An institution of higher education.
(f) Reports to Secretary.--
(1) Annual report.--For each fiscal year during which a 
health profession school is disbursed grant funds under the 
Program, such health profession school shall submit to the 
Secretary a report that describes the activities carried out 
with such grant funds during such fiscal year.
(2) Final report.--Not later than the date that is 1 year 
after the end of the last fiscal year during which a health 
profession school is disbursed grant funds under the Program, 
the health profession school shall submit to the Secretary a 
final report that summarizes the activities carried out with 
such grant funds.
(g) Report to Congress.--Not later than the date that is 6 years 
after the date on which the Program is established, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress and publish on a public website of the Department of 
Health and Human Services a report that includes the following:
(1) A summary of the reports submitted under subsection 
(f).
(2) Recommendations to improve education and training 
programs at health profession schools with respect to 
identifying and addressing risks associated with climate change 
for vulnerable individuals.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``health profession school'' means an 
accredited--
(A) medical school;
(B) school of nursing;
(C) midwifery program;
(D) physician assistant education program;
(E) teaching hospital;
(F) residency or fellowship program; or
(G) other school or program determined appropriate 
by the Secretary.
(2) The term ``Program'' means the grant program under this 
section.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for the period of 
fiscal years 2027 through 2030.

SEC. 5. NIH CONSORTIUM ON BIRTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institutes of 
Health shall establish the Consortium on Birth and Climate Change 
Research (in this section referred to as the ``Consortium'').
(b) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The Consortium shall coordinate, across 
the institutes, centers, and offices of the National Institutes 
of Health, research on the risks associated with climate change 
for vulnerable individuals.
(2) Required activities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Consortium shall--
(A) establish research priorities, including by 
prioritizing research that--
(i) identifies the risks associated with 
climate change for vulnerable individuals with 
a particular focus on disparities in such risks 
among racial and ethnic minority groups and 
other underserved populations; and
(ii) identifies strategies to reduce levels 
of, and exposure to, such risks, with a 
particular focus on risks among racial and 
ethnic minority groups and other underserved 
populations;
(B) identify gaps in available data related to such 
risks;
(C) identify gaps in, and opportunities for, 
research collaborations;
(D) identify funding opportunities for community-
based organizations and researchers from racially, 
ethnically, and geographically diverse backgrounds;
(E) identify opportunities to increase public 
awareness related to risks associated with climate 
change for vulnerable individuals; and
(F) publish annual reports on the work and findings 
of the Consortium on a public website of the National 
Institutes of Health.
(c) Membership.--The Director shall appoint to the Consortium 
representatives of such institutes, centers, and offices of the 
National Institutes of Health as the Director considers appropriate, 
including, at a minimum, representatives of--
(1) the National Institute of Environmental Health 
Sciences;
(2) the National Institute on Minority Health and Health 
Disparities;
(3) the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child 
Health and Human Development;
(4) the National Institute of Mental Health;
(5) the National Institute of Nursing Research; and
(6) the Office of Research on Women's Health.
(d) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Consortium shall be 
designated by the Director and selected from among the representatives 
appointed under subsection (c).
(e) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties described in 
subsection (b), the Consortium shall consult with--
(1) the heads of relevant Federal agencies, including--
(A) the Environmental Protection Agency;
(B) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration;
(C) the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration; and
(D) from the Department of Health and Human 
Services--
(i) the Office of Minority Health in the 
Office of the Secretary;
(ii) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services;
(iii) the Health Resources and Services 
Administration;
(iv) the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention;
(v) the Indian Health Service; and
(vi) the Administration for Children and 
Families; and
(2) representatives of--
(A) stakeholder organizations;
(B) health care providers and professional 
membership organizations with expertise in maternal 
health or environmental justice;
(C) State and local public health departments;
(D) licensed and accredited hospitals, birth 
centers, midwifery practices, or other health care 
practices that provide prenatal or labor and delivery 
services to vulnerable individuals; and
(E) institutions of higher education, including 
such institutions that are minority-serving 
institutions or have expertise in maternal health or 
environmental justice.

SEC. 6. STRATEGY FOR IDENTIFYING CLIMATE CHANGE RISK ZONES FOR 
VULNERABLE MOTHERS AND BABIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
shall develop a strategy (in this section referred to as the 
``Strategy'') for designating areas that the Secretary determines to 
have a high risk of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among 
vulnerable individuals as a result of risks associated with climate 
change.
(b) Strategy Requirements.--
(1) In general.--In developing the Strategy, the Secretary 
shall establish a process to identify areas where vulnerable 
individuals are exposed to a high risk of adverse maternal and 
infant health outcomes as a result of risks associated with 
climate change in conjunction with other factors that can 
impact such health outcomes, including--
(A) the incidence of diseases associated with air 
pollution, extreme heat, and other environmental 
factors;
(B) the availability and accessibility of maternal 
and infant health care providers;
(C) English-language proficiency among women of 
reproductive age;
(D) the health insurance status of women of 
reproductive age;
(E) the number of women of reproductive age who are 
members of racial or ethnic groups with 
disproportionately high rates of adverse maternal and 
infant health outcomes;
(F) the socioeconomic status of women of 
reproductive age, including with respect to--
(i) poverty;
(ii) unemployment;
(iii) household income; and
(iv) educational attainment; and
(G) access to quality housing, transportation, and 
nutrition.
(2) Resources.--In developing the Strategy, the Secretary 
shall identify, and incorporate a description of, the 
following:
(A) Existing mapping tools or Federal programs that 
identify--
(i) risks associated with climate change 
for vulnerable individuals; and
(ii) other factors that can influence 
maternal and infant health outcomes, including 
the factors described in paragraph (1).
(B) Environmental, health, socioeconomic, and 
demographic data relevant to identifying risks 
associated with climate change for vulnerable 
individuals.
(C) Existing monitoring networks that collect data 
described in subparagraph (B), and any gaps in such 
networks.
(D) Federal, State, and local stakeholders involved 
in maintaining monitoring networks identified under 
subparagraph (C), and how such stakeholders are 
coordinating their monitoring efforts.
(E) Additional monitoring networks, and 
enhancements to existing monitoring networks, that 
would be required to address gaps identified under 
subparagraph (C), including at the subcounty and census 
tract level.
(F) Funding amounts required to establish the 
monitoring networks identified under subparagraph (E) 
and recommendations for Federal, State, and local 
coordination with respect to such networks.
(G) Potential uses for data collected and generated 
as a result of the Strategy, including how such data 
may be used in determining recipients of grants under 
the program established by section 3 or other similar 
programs.
(H) Other information the Secretary considers 
relevant for the development of the Strategy.
(c) Coordination and Consultation.--In developing the Strategy, the 
Secretary shall--
(1) coordinate with the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency and the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration; and
(2) consult with--
(A) stakeholder organizations;
(B) health care providers and professional 
membership organizations with expertise in maternal 
health or environmental justice;
(C) State and local public health departments;
(D) licensed and accredited hospitals, birth 
centers, midwifery practices, or other health care 
providers that provide prenatal or labor and delivery 
services to vulnerable individuals; and
(E) institutions of higher education, including 
such institutions that are minority-serving 
institutions or have expertise in maternal health or 
environmental justice.
(d) Notice and Comment.--At least 240 days before the date on which 
the Strategy is published in accordance with subsection (e), the 
Secretary shall provide--
(1) notice of the Strategy on a public website of the 
Department of Health and Human Services; and
(2) an opportunity for public comment of at least 90 days.
(e) Publication.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish on a public website 
of the Department of Health and Human Services--
(1) the Strategy;
(2) the public comments received under subsection (d); and
(3) the responses of the Secretary to such public comments.
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