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HB 2379

An Act providing for trauma-informed maternity care education for certain health care professionals; and imposing duties on licensing boards and the Department of State.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marla Brown and 15 co-sponsors

HB 2379 would require trauma-informed maternity care education for licensed maternity-care professionals and make licensing boards and the Department of State enforce and oversee t

Referred to Professional Licensure
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Bill Summary · HB 2379

Summary of HB 2379 (2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and Intent

HB 2379 would establish requirements for trauma-informed maternity care education for certain health care professionals and assign new duties to state licensing boards and the Department of State. The bill aims to improve care for pregnant and birthing individuals by embedding trauma-informed practices into professional education and regulatory oversight.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Trauma-Informed Maternity Care Education

    • Requires specific trauma-informed care education related to maternity care for designated health care professionals.
    • Education is intended to address the needs of patients who have experienced trauma, potentially including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or other adverse experiences that impact maternity care.

  • Scope of Professionals Affected

    • The bill targets health care professionals who provide maternity-related services. This may include physicians, midwives, nurses, and other licensed practitioners involved in obstetric care, though the exact protected professions would be detailed in the enacted text.

  • Duties on Licensing Boards

    • Licensing boards for relevant health care professions would have new duties to:
    • Incorporate trauma-informed maternity care education requirements into licensure or continuing education standards.
    • Potentially verify completion of the required education as a condition for licensure renewal or initial licensure.
    • Monitor and enforce compliance with the trauma-informed education mandate.

  • Duties on the Department of State

    • The Department of State would receive responsibilities related to implementing or overseeing the education requirements, likely including:
    • Guidance, rules, or regulations to ensure consistent application across jurisdictions.
    • Submission of reports or compliance data to the General Assembly or relevant oversight bodies.

  • Implementation and Compliance

    • The bill would outline timelines for compliance (e.g., start dates for education requirements, renewal periods, and any phased-in approach).
    • It may specify approved curricula or standards for the trauma-informed maternity care education, or authorize the boards to establish them.

Who is Affected

  • Directly Affected: Licensed health care professionals involved in maternity care who must complete trauma-informed education as a condition of licensure or licensure renewal.
  • Regulatory Bodies: State licensing boards governing those professions and the Department of State, which would administer or enforce the new requirements.
  • Patients: Pregnant and postpartum individuals seeking maternity care, who may experience more trauma-informed, sensitive, and supportive care as a result of the mandate.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Referral and Status: The bill was referred to the Senate or House committee on Professional Licensure on April 14, 2026, indicating it is under committee consideration.
  • Potential Timelines: The exact effective dates, renewal cycles, and phased-in requirements would be specified in the bill’s text or voting amendments. Typical timelines may include:
    • A grace period after enactment before education requirements take effect.
    • Required ongoing continuing education at prescribed intervals (e.g., every licensure renewal).

Notes

  • The bill lists a broad set of sponsors, indicating cross-party and cross-issue support among Pennsylvania lawmakers.
  • The exact content, including the precise professions covered and the specifics of the education curriculum, would be defined in the bill’s statutory language and any accompanying regulatory guidance.

If you want, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., health care providers, patient advocacy groups, or policymakers) or expand it with anticipated fiscal or regulatory impacts once the text becomes available.

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

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