Bill
HB 5628
HB 5628 requires the Department of Public Health to create educational programs that raise awareness of disparities in birth outcomes for Black women.
HB 5628: Summary
Overview
- Bill number: HB 5628
- Title: AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO CREATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE DISPARITIES IN BIRTH OUTCOMES FOR BLACK WOMEN
- Subject areas: African Americans, Child health, Public Health, Department of, Women
- Introduced: March 14, 2025
- Status: Ref. to Joint Committee on Public Health
- Related bill: SB 2855 (companion)
Purpose and intent
- The bill would require the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop and implement educational programs and initiatives focused on raising awareness about disparities in birth outcomes affecting Black women. The goal is to inform the public and stakeholders about the inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes within the Black community.
Key provisions (as stated)
- Mandatory action for DPH: Create educational programs and initiatives addressing disparities in birth outcomes for Black women.
- The bill text provided does not specify funding, timeline, scope of materials, target audiences beyond raising awareness, or evaluation metrics. No explicit requirements for reports, partnership structures, or performance benchmarks are detailed in the available information.
Who would be affected
- Primary entity: Department of Public Health (responsible for development and delivery of the programs).
- Target population: Black women and communities affected by birth outcome disparities.
- Stakeholders potentially impacted indirectly: healthcare providers, public health organizations, community-based groups, and educators involved in maternal health outreach and education.
Procedural and timeline context
- January 21, 2025: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health
- March 14, 2025: Filed
- April 7, 2025: Read first time; referred to subcommittee (Family & Fiduciary Relationships action indicates placement decisions at the time)
- May 5, 2025: Considered by subcommittee in a public hearing; testimony taken; left pending in subcommittee
- The bill has a companion in Senate: SB 2855
- Current status reflects early-stage consideration with subcommittee activity and no final passage yet
Potential impact and considerations
- If enacted, the bill would place a statutory obligation on DPH to pursue public education on Black birth outcome disparities, potentially shaping public awareness, stakeholder engagement, and policy discussions related to maternal and infant health equity.
- The lack of defined funding, timelines, or evaluation requirements means the practical scope and resource implications would likely be resolved during committee discussions or in any future amendments.
Next steps
- Monitor HB 5628’s progression through the subcommittee and full chamber.
- Review any amendments or substitute language that define funding, scope, target audiences, and measurable outcomes.
- Compare with SB 2855 (companion) for alignment on provisions and fiscal implications.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
