SF1650

The Supporting Women Act (Senate File No. 1650) proposes the establishment of a grant program for women’s pregnancy centers and maternity homes in Minnesota. Key provisions include:

1. Definitions:

   • Maternity homes: Community-based supervised housing for pregnant women or new mothers, especially those in crisis or at risk of homelessness.
   • Women’s pregnancy centers: Organizations providing information and assistance to encourage women to carry pregnancies to term and care for their children.

2. Grant Program:

   • Administered by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health.
   • Grants will fund services that support pregnant women in carrying their pregnancies to term and caring for children post-birth.

3. Eligibility Criteria for Grants:

   • Organizations must be nonprofits.
   • They must provide or refer women to support and assistance programs.
   • Services must be free or low-cost, with housing provided at no charge.
   • Organizations cannot use grant funds for:
     • Encouraging or referring for abortions (except when necessary to save a woman's life).
     • Performing abortions.
   • Organizations or affiliates involved in abortion services are ineligible.

4. Uses of Grant Funds:

   • Funds must support programs related to medical care, mental health, housing assistance, nutrition, adoption, education, employment, child care, parenting education, and more.

5. Privacy Protections:

   • Requires policies to protect the identity and communications of women receiving services.

6. Monitoring & Compliance:

   • The Commissioner of Health will collect data and evaluate program effectiveness.

7. Funding:

   • The bill redirects $4 million per year (starting in fiscal year 2026) from the state’s sexual and reproductive health services grants to fund the new program.
   • Allocation:
     • $3 million annually for women’s pregnancy centers.
     • $1 million annually for maternity homes.

This bill prioritizes funding for pregnancy support centers while reducing financial support for broader reproductive health services.