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119-hr-8521119th CongressWALLET

Protect Moms From Domestic Violence Act

Sponsored By: Representative Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would target how violence and trauma affect maternal health by funding a federal study and a grant program focused on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. It connects research on intimate partner violence, trafficking, child sexual abuse, reproductive coercion, and related trauma to practical grants and provider guidance that aim to improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum people.

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  • Pregnant and postpartum people and families: Would get new programs aimed at preventing homicide, suicide, substance use, overdose, and poor birth outcomes linked to violence and trauma. The study explicitly focuses on adolescents and marginalized groups including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQIA2S+ birthing people.
  • Health care providers and systems: Would receive federally issued guidance within two years on universal education, routine assessments for intimate partner violence and mental health, trauma-informed care plans, and strategies to sustain partnerships with community organizations.
  • Tribal governments, community organizations, and clinics: Would be eligible for grants to develop innovative maternal health and safety approaches. Eligible entities include Tribal epidemiology centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, hospitals, community behavioral health clinics, and Veteran Affairs facilities.

*Authorizes $15.0 million per year for FY2027-2029 to fund the grant program and related activities.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Screening guidance for pregnant and postpartum people

If enacted, HHS would be required to publish and share guidance within two years for states, tribes, territories, health care providers, and managed care entities. The guidance would cover universal education about healthy relationships, routine screening for intimate partner violence and mental health or substance use conditions, trauma‑informed care and health promotion plans, and sustaining partnerships with community organizations that serve victims. The guidance would aim to standardize practices that affect pregnant and postpartum people who face violence.

Grants for pregnant and postpartum survivors

If enacted, HHS would run a competitive grant program to help pregnant and postpartum people who are victims of domestic or sexual violence and related trauma. Grants would go to states, tribes, hospitals, clinics, community groups, Tribal epidemiology centers, VA facilities, and other eligible health and service providers. The program would prioritize projects that target pregnant or at‑risk people, develop culturally responsive care, improve maternal health surveillance, or share lessons across grantees. The bill would authorize $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to carry out the grant program.

Clear definitions for maternal health

If enacted, the bill would add definitions used across the Act. It would define 'maternal morbidity' to include mental health conditions and substance use disorders aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth. It would define 'maternal mortality' to include deaths during pregnancy or within one year after childbirth and explicitly include suicide, drug overdose, and homicide related to pregnancy complications. It would also define 'postpartum' as the 12‑month period after childbirth and reference the Social Security Act definition for freestanding birth centers.

Study on violence and maternal outcomes

If enacted, HHS would seek an arrangement with the National Academy of Medicine (or another qualified entity) to study how domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, reproductive coercion, intergenerational violence, trauma, or psychiatric disorders affect maternal morbidity and mortality. The study would examine links to suicide, homicide (including intimate partner homicide), substance use, overdose, and poor birth outcomes. It would analyze these factors as social determinants of health and focus on impacts for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA2S+ birthing people, and adolescent mothers.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

WI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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