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SR 107

A resolution to commemorate April 11-17, 2024, as Black Maternal Health Week.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Winnie Brinks and 8 co-sponsors

Designates April 11-17, 2024 as Black Maternal Health Week and urges action on racial disparities in Michigan maternal care, supporting community programs (nonbinding, no funds).

ADOPTED
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Bill Summary · SR 107

Summary — SR 107: “Black Maternal Health Week” (Commemorative Resolution)

Status: Adopted (Senate); Adopted by the Michigan Senate April 10, 2024
Primary sponsors (as adopted): Senators Erika Geiss, Jeremy Wojno, Sarah Anthony (note: sponsors listed in enrolled text: Geiss, Wojno, Shink, Moss, McDonald Rivet, Brinks, Damoose, McMorrow, Santana)

Main purpose

SR 107 is a symbolic, non‑binding Senate resolution designating April 11–17, 2024 as “Black Maternal Health Week” and calling attention to racial disparities in maternal and infant health. The resolution documents state and national data on maternal mortality and morbidity, identifies structural racism and related social determinants as root causes, and expresses the Legislature’s support for community‑driven solutions and policy attention to reduce maternal mortality and improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.

Key findings and provisions

  • Recites national and state statistics (as stated in the resolution):
    • 2021 pregnancy‑related death rates cited: 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women, 26.6 for white women, and 32.1 overall.
    • Black women have the highest preterm birth share at 14.8% of live births.
    • The U.S. spends an estimated $111 billion per year on maternal, prenatal, and newborn care but has comparatively poor outcomes among high‑income countries.
    • Michigan (2015–2019): pregnancy‑related mortality cited as 29.8 deaths per 100,000 for Black women vs. 10.7 per 100,000 for white women; the state is reported to rank 25th nationally for maternal deaths.
  • Identifies structural racism, disparities in quality of care, inadequate family and medical leave, and social determinants as contributing factors.
  • Expresses support for:
    • Increased attention to Black maternal health at the state level;
    • Community‑driven programs and care solutions;
    • Improvements in prenatal care, maternal health services, breastfeeding support, and nutrition;
    • Amplifying the voices of Black mothers, families, and stakeholders including Afro‑Latinx and diaspora communities;
    • The broader goal of ending preventable maternal mortality.

Who is affected

  • Directly: Black mothers, families, and communities in Michigan (and by extension the resolution addresses national disparities).
  • Indirectly: health care providers, public health agencies, advocacy organizations, and policymakers — primarily through awareness and potential policy influence rather than by regulatory change.

Legal effect, fiscal impact, and next steps

  • SR 107 is a commemorative resolution: it does not create new law, authorize spending, or change programs. The resolution does not allocate funds and has no fiscal impact.
  • Its practical effect is to signal legislative recognition and encourage further study, policy development, funding, and community initiatives to address disparities in maternal health.
  • Because it is non‑binding, remedies (legislative, budgetary, or regulatory) would require subsequent bills or appropriations.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • The enrolled and adopted resolution is dated April 10, 2024 (Adopted by the Senate). It was reported enrolled and recorded in Senate action; being a resolution, it followed Senate rules for adoption rather than enactment into statute.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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