Pennsylvania HR451: A Resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

What the bill says

A resolution Recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

From the introduced text, March 24, 2026:

A RESOLUTION Recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women. WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are more than three times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes; and WHEREAS, The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries, in part because of the disproportionate maternal mortality rate of Black women; and WHEREAS, The rate of preterm births among Black women is nearly 50% higher than the preterm birth rate among White or Hispanic women; and WHEREAS, The high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across income levels, education levels and socioeconomic status; and WHEREAS, In 2021, the overall pregnancy-associated mortality rate for this Commonwealth was 97 deaths per 100,000 live births; and WHEREAS, In 2021, the pregnancy-associated mortality rate for non-Hispanic Blacks was 186 deaths per 100,000 live births, more than two times the rate of deaths for non-Hispanic Whites; and WHEREAS, More than half of deaths occurred after the end of the pregnancy; and WHEREAS, In 2021, 98% of pregnancy-related deaths in this Commonwealth were considered preventable; and WHEREAS, Fifty-three percent of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Gina Curry (D, 164) · primary sponsor
• La'Tasha Mayes (D, 24)
• Morgan Cephas (D, 192)
• Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
• Christopher Pielli (D, 156)
• Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
• Tarah Probst (D, 189)
• Heather Boyd (D, 163)
• Arvind Venkat (D, 30)
• Melissa Shusterman (D, 157)
• Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)

Latest actions

1. April 13, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page 257), April 13, 2026
2. April 13, 2026: Adopted, April 13, 2026 (197-4)
3. March 25, 2026: Reported as committed, March 25, 2026
4. March 24, 2026: Referred to CHILDREN AND YOUTH, March 24, 2026

Votes

• Adopted, April 13, 2026 (197-4) (April 13, 2026): 197 yea, 4 nay, passed
• House Children & Youth: Report Bill As Committed (March 25, 2026): 19 yea, 6 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HR451?

HR451 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

What does HR451 do?

In its own words: A resolution Recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

What is the status of HR451?

Passed both chambers as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: (Remarks see House Journal Page 257), April 13, 2026 (April 13, 2026).

Who sponsored HR451?

Gina Curry (D, 164), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HR451?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr451