Iowa Code § 217.41C - More options for maternal support program

1. a. The department shall create the more options for maternal support program, a statewide program to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth through nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy support services. b. The more options for maternal support program is designed to do all of the following: (1) Provide an approach and personalized support to pregnant women to provide stabilization to families. (2) Promote improved pregnancy outcomes, including reducing abortions, by helping women practice sound health-related behaviors and improve prenatal nutrition. (3) Improve child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care for their children. (4) Improve family economic self-sufficiency by linking parents to services that address individual economic and social needs. c. For the purposes of this section: (1) “Pregnancy support services” means those nonmedical services that promote childbirth by providing information, counseling, and support services that assist pregnant women or women who believe they may be pregnant to choose childbirth and to make informed decisions regarding the choice of adoption or parenting with respect to their children. (2) “Provider of pregnancy support services” or “provider” means a nonprofit organization that provides pregnancy support services under contract with the program administrator or the department. 2. The program may provide and support all of the following pregnancy support services: a. Nutritional services and education. b. Housing, education, and employment assistance during pregnancy and up to one year following a birth. c. Adoption education, planning, and services. d. Child care assistance if necessary for a pregnant woman to receive pregnancy support services. e. Parenting education and support services for up to one year following a child’s birth. f. Material items which are supportive of pregnancy and childbirth including but not limited to cribs, car seats, clothing, diapers, formula, or other safety devices. g. Information regarding health care benefits, including but not limited to available Medicaid coverage for pregnancy care and health care coverage for a child following birth. h. A call center for information or to schedule appointments. i. Medical information and referrals for medical care, including but not limited to pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted infection tests, other health screenings, ultrasound services, prenatal care, and birth classes and planning. j. Counseling, mentoring, educational information, and classes relating to pregnancy, parenting, adoption, life skills, and employment readiness. 3. The department may administer the program directly through providers of pregnancy support services or may issue a request for proposals to select a program administrator for the program. If the department issues a request for proposals and selects a program administrator, the program administrator shall meet all of the following requirements: a. Be a nonprofit entity incorporated in this state with a tax-exempt status pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. b. Create and maintain, and have systems and processes in place to successfully manage, a statewide network of providers of pregnancy support services. c. Have a commitment to promoting healthy pregnancies and childbirth instead of abortion as a fundamental part of the program administrator’s mission. d. Maintain records for each provider of pregnancy support services. e. Monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of a contract with a provider of pregnancy support services. 4. A provider of pregnancy support services under the program shall meet all of the following requirements: a. Be a nonprofit organization incorporated in this state with a tax-exempt status pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. b. Have a minimum of one year of operational experience in providing core pregnancy support services. c. Have a primary mission of promoting healthy pregnancies and childbirth instead of abortion. d. Have a system of financial accountability consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, including an annual budget. e. Have a board that hires and supervises a director who manages the organization’s operations. f. Offer, at a minimum, counseling or services for women who are or may be experiencing unplanned pregnancies. g. Provide confidential and free pregnancy support services and other program services. h. Provide each pregnant woman with accurate information on the developmental characteristics of unborn children and babies. i. Ensure that program funds are not used to provide or refer pregnant women for terminations of pregnancy, or to encourage or affirmatively counsel a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy unless the pregnant woman’s attending physician confirms the termination of pregnancy is medically necessary to prevent the pregnant woman’s death. j. Maintain confidentiality of all data, files, and records related to the pregnancy support services provided to persons accessing the pregnancy support services through the program in compliance with state and federal laws. 5. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer the program. If the department selects a program administrator through a request for proposals process, the department shall provide technical assistance to the program administrator, monitor the program administrator for adherence to state and federal requirements, and collect and maintain program data. 6. Beginning October 1, 2024, and on or before October 1 annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the general assembly the following program information relative to the prior fiscal year: a. The total number of providers of pregnancy support services by geographical region and the total number of unduplicated clients served by each provider by gender and age. b. A description of outreach efforts by an administrator, providers of pregnancy support services, and the department. c. Total program expenditures. d. The amounts attributable to any program administrator contract and to each contract with a provider of pregnancy support services. e. The outcomes based on outcome measures included in the contracts with any program administrator and each provider of pregnancy support services. 2022 Acts, ch 1131, §67; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §347 – 350; 2024 Acts, ch 1016, §1 – 3 2024 amendment applies retroactively to July 1, 2022; 2024 Acts, ch 1016, §3 SUBCHAPTER II DEPARTMENT SERVICES ORGANIZATION