Dads Matter Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Raphael Warnock
Introduced
Summary
The Dads Matter Act of 2025 would require HHS to run a nationwide public awareness campaign to increase father engagement during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. The goal is to boost father participation and support to help improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
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- Families: The bill would push messaging and materials to help fathers support prenatal and postpartum care, and to raise awareness of pregnancy risks and warning signs for mothers and infants.
- Fathers: Men would get targeted information on skin‑to‑skin contact, bonding, breastfeeding support, and recognition and treatment of paternal postpartum depression.
- Health providers and states: HHS would issue guidance encouraging clinician training, screening for paternal depression, and culturally informed patient outreach to promote father‑inclusive maternity care.
- Oversight and timing: The campaign must begin within two years and the Government Accountability Office would be required to study and report on the law’s effectiveness within six years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
National father-awareness campaign
If enacted, the bill would require HHS to run a national public awareness campaign within 2 years. The campaign would explain fathers' roles during pregnancy, birth, and after birth. It would share materials on skin-to-skin contact, supporting breastfeeding, and paternal postpartum depression. The campaign would also cover warning signs of pregnancy problems like preeclampsia, preterm labor, and other complications. The bill does not itself specify new funding.
State guidance for father-inclusive care
If enacted, the bill would require HHS to issue guidance to States within 1 year. The guidance would tell States how to encourage and incentivize maternity providers and health plans to train staff to include fathers. It would cover peer-to-peer father support, what fathers should expect before and after birth, and culturally informed messaging about fatherhood. The guidance would also include screening fathers for depression and referrals for treatment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 6/18/2025
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov