WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 8811 · 119th Congress

Moms Matter Act

IntroducedHealth
IntroducedMay 14, 2026
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Introduced. Latest step, May 14, 2026: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 8811 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (May 14, 2026).

42 U.S.C. 294f

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Maternal mental health equity grant program
What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 294fa new sectionadded 758by H.R. 8811 Sec. 3

    758 Maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce grants.—(a) In general.— The Secretary may award grants to entities to establish or expand programs described in subsection (b) to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce.(b) Use of funds.— Recipients of grants under this section shall use the grants to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce by—(1) establishing schools or programs that provide education and training to individuals seeking appropriate licensing or certification as mental or behavioral health care providers who will specialize in maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders; or(2) expanding the capacity of existing schools or programs described in paragraph (1), for the purposes of increasing the number of students enrolled in such schools or programs, including by awarding scholarships for students.(c) Prioritization.— In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to any entity that—(1) has demonstrated a commitment to recruiting and retaining students and faculty from racial and ethnic minority groups;(2) has developed a strategy to recruit and retain a diverse pool of students into the maternal mental or behavioral health care workforce program or school supported by funds received through the grant, particularly from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;(3) has developed a strategy to recruit and retain students who plan to practice in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332;(4) has developed a strategy to recruit and retain students who plan to practice in an area with significant maternal health disparities, to the extent practicable; and(5) includes in the standard curriculum for all students within the maternal mental or behavioral health care workforce program or school a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes training on implicit bias and racism.(d) Reporting.— As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section for a maternal mental or behavioral health care workforce program or school, an entity shall agree to submit to the Secretary an annual report on the activities conducted through the grant, including—(1) the number and demographics of students participating in the program or school;(2) the extent to which students in the program or school are entering careers in—(A) health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and(B) areas with significant maternal health disparities, to the extent such data are available; and(3) whether the program or school has included in the standard curriculum for all students a bias, racism, or discrimination training program that includes training on implicit bias and racism, and if so the effectiveness of such training program.(e) Period of grants.— The period of a grant under this section shall be up to 5 years.(f) Application.— To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including any information necessary for prioritization under subsection (c).(g) Technical assistance.— The Secretary shall provide, directly or by contract, technical assistance to entities seeking or receiving a grant under this section on the development, use, evaluation, and postgrant period sustainability of the maternal mental or behavioral health care workforce programs or schools proposed to be, or being, established or expanded through the grant.(h) Report by the Secretary.— Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress, and post on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report on the effectiveness of the grant program under this section at—(1) recruiting students from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;(2) increasing the number of mental or behavioral health care providers specializing in maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders from racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations;(3) increasing the number of mental or behavioral health care providers specializing in maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders working in health professional shortage areas designated under section 332; and(4) increasing the number of mental or behavioral health care providers specializing in maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders working in areas with significant maternal health disparities, to the extent such data are available.(i) Definitions.— In this section:(1) Racial and ethnic minority group.— The term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1).(2) Mental or behavioral health care provider.— The term mental or behavioral health care provider refers to a health care provider in the field of mental and behavioral health, including substance use disorders, acting in accordance with State law.(j) Authorization of appropriations.— To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

    The bill says: Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 757 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 294f) the following new section:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Moms Matter Act

This bill establishes two grant programs to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with a focus on demographic groups with elevated rates of adverse maternal health outcomes.

First, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants for maternal behavioral health services and education and training for health care providers about maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders in pregnancy. Eligible grantees include (1) state, tribal, and local governments; (2) health care providers; and (3) organizations that serve pregnant and postpartum individuals.

Second, the Department of Health and Human Services may award grants to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health workforce by establishing or expanding schools and training programs.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, May 14, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. May 14, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  2. May 14, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  3. May 14, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Alma S. Adams D-NC-12
  • Joyce Beatty D-OH-3
  • Wesley Bell D-MO-1
  • André Carson D-IN-7
  • Steve Cohen D-TN-9
  • Herbert C. Conaway, Jr. D-NJ-3
  • Jim Costa D-CA-21
  • Angie Craig D-MN-2
  • Suzan K. DelBene D-WA-1
  • Mark DeSaulnier D-CA-10
  • Debbie Dingell D-MI-6
  • Shomari Figures D-AL-2
Show 39 more cosponsors
  • Brian K. Fitzpatrick R-PA-1
  • John Garamendi D-CA-8
  • Jesús G. "Chuy" García D-IL-4
  • Adelita S. Grijalva D-AZ-7
  • Jahana Hayes D-CT-5
  • Steven Horsford D-NV-4
  • Glenn Ivey D-MD-4
  • Jonathan L. Jackson D-IL-1
  • Sara Jacobs D-CA-51
  • Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. D-GA-4
  • Julie Johnson D-TX-32
  • Sydney Kamlager-Dove D-CA-37
  • Raja Krishnamoorthi D-IL-8
  • George Latimer D-NY-16
  • Lucy McBath D-GA-6
  • Sarah McBride D-DE-At Large
  • Morgan McGarvey D-KY-3
  • LaMonica McIver D-NJ-10
  • Christian D. Menefee D-TX-18
  • Gwen Moore D-WI-4
  • Seth Moulton D-MA-6
  • Eleanor Holmes Norton D-DC-At Large
  • Nellie Pou D-NJ-9
  • Ayanna Pressley D-MA-7
  • Emily Randall D-WA-6
  • Deborah K. Ross D-NC-2
  • Andrea Salinas D-OR-6
  • Kim Schrier D-WA-8
  • Robert C. "Bobby" Scott D-VA-3
  • Terri A. Sewell D-AL-7
  • Adam Smith D-WA-9
  • Darren Soto D-FL-9
  • Melanie A. Stansbury D-NM-1
  • Rashida Tlaib D-MI-12
  • Lauren Underwood D-IL-14
  • Marc A. Veasey D-TX-33
  • Eugene Simon Vindman D-VA-7
  • Bonnie Watson Coleman D-NJ-12
  • Frederica S. Wilson D-FL-24