Protect Moms From Domestic Violence Act
Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced
Summary
Centers on linking violence and trauma to maternal morbidity and mortality. This bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to fund a national study and to award grants and issue guidance aimed at reducing pregnancy‑related harms tied to domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and related trauma.
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- Families and birthing people: Would fund programs and pilot approaches to improve maternal and child health for victims of violence, with priority for pregnant and postpartum persons and adolescent mothers.
- Health systems and providers: Would require guidance within two years on universal education about healthy relationships, routine screening for intimate partner violence and mental health, trauma‑informed care planning, and partnerships with community groups.
- Researchers and community organizations: Would direct HHS to work with the National Academy of Medicine or a similar body to study how violence and trauma affect maternal risks and outcomes and to report best practices to Congress every three years. Grants are open to States, Tribal entities, clinics, hospitals, community organizations, and VA facilities and would receive priority for culturally relevant and Tribal innovations.
*Authorizes $15.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for the grant program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Clear Maternal Health Definitions
If enacted, the bill would define key maternal health terms used in the Act. "Maternal morbidity" would include health conditions caused or worsened by pregnancy or childbirth, including mental health and substance use disorders. "Maternal mortality" would mean death during pregnancy or within one year after pregnancy and would explicitly include suicide, drug overdose, homicide, and other deaths from mental health or substance use disorders when tied to pregnancy. "Postpartum" would be the 12-month period after childbirth, and "freestanding birth center" would be defined by reference to the Social Security Act.
Grants to Help Pregnant Survivors
If enacted, HHS would give grants to improve maternal and child health for people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and related trauma. Grants could go to states, tribes, hospitals, community health centers, freestanding birth centers, colleges, nonprofit violence-prevention groups, substance-use programs for parents, and VA health facilities. The Secretary would prioritize projects that focus on pregnancy/postpartum violence, culturally informed approaches, Tribal work, better maternal health surveillance, and shared learning. The bill would authorize $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029, and require HHS to report best practices to Congress within 3 years and every 3 years after.
Guidance on Screening and Referrals
If enacted, HHS would publish and send guidance within 2 years to states, tribes, territories, health care providers, and managed care plans on screening and referral best practices. The guidance would cover universal education on healthy relationships and intimate partner violence, routine assessment of intimate partner violence and mental and behavioral health, and trauma-informed care planning. It would also advise on building lasting partnerships between health care providers and community groups that help victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Study on Violence and Pregnancy Outcomes
If enacted, the bill would direct HHS to seek an arrangement with the National Academy of Medicine (or another entity if it declines) to study how violence, trafficking, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, reproductive coercion, trauma, and psychiatric disorders affect maternal morbidity and mortality. The study would examine links to suicide, homicide, substance use, drug overdose, and poor birth outcomes. It would also assess whether these experiences act as social determinants of health and would focus on impacts for Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, LGBTQIA2S+ birthing persons, and adolescent mothers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov