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Bill

ACR 18

Relative to Maternal Health Awareness Day.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 72 co-sponsors

Proclaims January 23, 2025 as Maternal Health Awareness Day to raise awareness and spur ongoing actions on maternal health, mental health, and racial disparities in California.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 15, Statutes of 2025.
#maternalhealthawarenessday
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Bill Summary · ACR 18

Summary — ACR 18 (Sharp‑Collins) — Maternal Health Awareness Day

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State — Res. Chapter 15, Statutes of 2025
Introduced: January 22, 2025
Classification: Concurrent resolution (non‑binding)
Primary author: Sharp‑Collins; coauthor: Ransom

Purpose / Intent

ACR 18 proclaims January 23, 2025, as “Maternal Health Awareness Day” in California to raise public and legislative attention to maternal health issues, highlight progress made in reducing maternal mortality in the state, and emphasize the need for continued efforts—particularly to address racial disparities and maternal mental health.

Key provisions and findings

  • Officially proclaims January 23, 2025, as Maternal Health Awareness Day.
  • Recites background facts and policy priorities, including:
    • The United States has the highest maternal mortality among industrialized nations; nationally more than 700 pregnancy‑ or delivery‑related deaths occur annually, with over half considered preventable.
    • California’s maternal mortality declined 55% from 2006–2013 and reached about 7 deaths per 100,000 live births (citing CMQCC and CA‑PAMR data).
    • California’s pregnancy‑related mortality ratios (2008–2016) fluctuated between 9.5 and 14.9 per 100,000 live births.
    • Maternal mental health (postpartum depression, psychosis) is a contributing factor; improved screening and treatment are important.
    • Significant racial/ethnic disparities persist: Black women account for roughly 5% of pregnancies but 21% of pregnancy‑related deaths in California; their mortality ratio is 3–4 times higher than other groups.
  • Calls for continued public health actions (descriptive, not prescriptive), such as:
    • Ongoing surveillance by the State Department of Public Health.
    • Efforts to maximize preconception health (smoking prevention, fitness, STI reduction).
    • Postpartum support (postpartum visits, interconception care, breastfeeding support, screening for postpartum depression).
    • Improved coordination between obstetrics and psychiatry and expanded screening for substance use, adverse childhood experiences, infectious disease, and intimate partner violence.
    • Targeted supports for vulnerable populations, including Black women, culturally and linguistically relevant outreach, quality improvement in maternity care, and home visiting.

Who is affected / impact

  • The resolution is symbolic and declaratory; it creates no regulatory requirements, funding changes, or enforceable duties.
  • Its primary impact is awareness‑raising: signaling legislative priorities and encouraging continuation/expansion of existing maternal health programs and surveillance activities by public health agencies and healthcare providers.
  • It highlights populations of concern (e.g., Black women, those with perinatal mental health conditions) to inform policy discussion and stakeholder attention.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 22, 2025. Passed committee and both houses without recorded opposition (Senate committee 10–0; Assembly floor Ayes 34, Noes 0).
  • Enrolled and filed with Secretary of State on Feb 24, 2025; chaptered as Resolution Chapter 15, Statutes of 2025.
  • Fiscal Committee: No (no fiscal impact noted).

Overall, ACR 18 is a legislative recognition aimed at promoting awareness and continued action on maternal health outcomes and disparities in California.

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

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