What does Preamble of Kira Johnson Act do?

This bill addresses maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. It specifically targets Black pregnant and postpartum individuals and other underserved populations. The bill aims to provide training in respectful maternity care. It seeks to reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This Act is formally titled the "Kira Johnson Act". The bill establishes the name by which it will be cited.

What does SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section establishes a grant program to advance maternal health equity. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to community-based organizations to establish or expand programs. Eligible entities must offer programs and resources aligned with evidence-based practices for improving maternal health outcomes for demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality, morbidity, disparities, or adverse outcomes. During the first year after enactment, the Secretary will conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to potential applicants. Special consideration will be given to entities based in communities with elevated rates of adverse maternal health outcomes and those led by individuals from affected demographic groups. Grant recipients will receive technical assistance on capacity building, data collection, and program sustainability. An evaluation of the program's effectiveness will be submitted to Congress by the end of fiscal year 2031. The section authorizes $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the program.

What does RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program focused on reducing bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings. The Secretary will award grants for programs that advance respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent, and trauma-informed care. Grant applications should prioritize programs that apply to all maternity care providers and related employees, including front desk staff, sonographers, and security personnel. Training programs should emphasize periodic, ongoing education rather than one-time events, and address implicit bias, racism, and cultural humility. Special consideration will be given to programs delivered in undergraduate programs, settings related to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and those based on programs from historically Black colleges or universities and other minority-serving institutions. Grant recipients are required to submit annual reports detailing the impact of training on patient outcomes and experiences for racial and ethnic minority groups. The Secretary will compile an annual report on findings from funded programs and disseminate it to recipients and the public. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.

What does STUDY ON REDUCING AND PREVENTING BIAS, RACISM, AND of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The National Academies will conduct a study on programs designed to reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings. The study aims to advance respectful, culturally and linguistically congruent, trauma-informed care. The National Academies must complete the study and transmit a report of the results to Congress within 24 months of the Act's enactment. The study may examine the development of evaluation standards for programs addressing bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care. The study may also determine the types and frequency of training that can improve patient outcomes and experience for minority groups.

What does RESPECTFUL MATERNITY CARE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section establishes the Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Program. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to accredited hospitals and health systems to implement respectful maternity care compliance programs. These programs must institutionalize mechanisms for patients, families, and perinatal health workers to report instances of racism or bias. Programs must develop and publicly share strategies to reduce bias in maternity care, including training programs for employees. Hospitals must routinely collect and publicly report patient-reported experience of care data. Annual reports to the Secretary are required, including deidentified patient information and details of reported cases and institutional changes. The Secretary must establish processes for disseminating best practices, promoting coordination, and evaluating program effectiveness. A study, conducted by an independent research organization, will assess strategies to address racism and bias in maternity care and recommend accountability mechanisms. The study will include an assessment of reports submitted to the Secretary and consider medical and nonmedical factors contributing to adverse patient experiences.

What does GAO REPORT. of Kira Johnson Act do?

This section mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to submit an annual report to Congress and make it publicly available. The report must detail the extent to which hospitals and other maternity care settings have established respectful maternity care compliance programs. The report should include information on the impact of these programs on maternal health outcomes and patient experiences, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups. The report must also identify areas and settings where such programs are lacking and provide recommendations for their establishment. The report will assess the sufficiency of funding for this section and suggest additional appropriations if needed. The Comptroller General can include other relevant information in the report as deemed appropriate.

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Kira Johnson Act

Last updated: 3/25/2026 · Introduced: 3/25/2026

Author: Raphael Warnock (D-GA)

TL;DR (AI)

The Kira Johnson Act aims to reduce maternal mortality and severe morbidity, particularly among Black women and other underserved populations, by addressing bias and discrimination in maternity care.
The bill establishes a grant program providing $100,000,000 annually from 2027-2031 to community-based organizations that improve maternal health outcomes for groups experiencing disparities.
It creates a grant program allocating $5,000,000 annually from 2027-2031 to fund training for all maternity care employees on respectful, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed care, emphasizing ongoing education.
The bill directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on programs that reduce bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care, reporting findings to Congress within two years.
Hospitals and health systems can receive grants to implement Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Programs, which require reporting mechanisms for bias, public sharing of strategies, and routine collection of patient experience data.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 8074(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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