Bill Summary
The "Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025" aims to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to enhance support for women, infants, and children affected by substance use disorders. The legislation updates terminology, replacing "drug abuse" with "substance use disorder" throughout the relevant sections. Key provisions include:
1. **Nutrition Education**: The Act mandates the development of nutrition education materials specifically for individuals impacted by substance use disorders, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. This initiative is designed to ensure that affected individuals receive accurate and unbiased nutritional support.
2. **Outreach Efforts**: It requires outreach to inform potentially eligible individuals about the support available through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC).
3. **Collaboration with Health Authorities**: The Act emphasizes collaboration between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create evidence-based educational resources.
4. **Funding**: The legislation authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these initiatives.
Overall, this Act seeks to provide critical nutritional support and education to vulnerable populations affected by substance use disorders, promoting healthier outcomes for mothers and their children.
Possible Impacts
The "Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Improved Access to Nutrition Education**: The bill mandates the development and dissemination of nutrition education materials specifically tailored for individuals impacted by substance use disorder, especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This could lead to better nutritional choices for mothers and infants, potentially improving health outcomes for both.
2. **Increased Outreach Efforts**: The Secretary is required to conduct outreach to individuals who may be eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and who are impacted by substance use disorder. This outreach can help connect at-risk individuals with essential resources and support, ensuring that they receive the assistance they need.
3. **Enhanced Support for Affected Infants**: The bill includes provisions for creating educational materials for infants impacted by prenatal substance exposure, such as those suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome. By addressing the specific needs of these infants, the legislation aims to improve their overall health and development, which can have long-term benefits for their well-being and integration into society.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3743 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3743
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to support women, infants, and
children impacted by substance use disorder, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 4, 2025
Mr. Vindman (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Nunn of
Iowa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to support women, infants, and
children impacted by substance use disorder, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Healthy Mothers and
Infants Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM.
(a) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children.--Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``drug abuse'' and
inserting ``substance use disorder'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``drug abuse''
and inserting ``substance use disorder''; and
(B) in paragraph (16)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``Drug abuse education'' and
inserting ``Substance use disorder education'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``dangers of drug abuse'' and inserting ``harm
of substance use during pregnancy and
lactation''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``are suspected
drug abusers'' and inserting ``may have
a substance use disorder'';
(II) by striking ``drug abuse
clinics,''; and
(III) by striking ``drug abuse
professionals'' and inserting
``resources'';
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``drug abuse'' each place
it appears and inserting ``substance use
disorder''; and
(ii) by striking ``effects of drug'' and
inserting ``effects of a substance use
disorder''; and
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``substance
abuse'' and inserting ``substance use disorder'';
(4) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C)(ix), by striking ``drugs''
and inserting ``illicit or other harmful substances'';
and
(B) in paragraph (13), by striking ``drug abuse
education'' and inserting ``substance use disorder
education'';
(5) in subsection (k)(1)--
(A) by striking ``1 member'' and inserting ``one
member''; and
(B) by striking ``drug abuse'' and inserting
``substance use disorder''; and
(6) by redesignating subsections (l) through (q) as
subsections (m) through (r), respectively, and by inserting
after subsection (k) the following:
``(l) Activities To Support WIC-Eligible Individuals Impacted by
Substance Use Disorder.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) develop and disseminate nutrition education
materials for individuals eligible for the program; and
``(B) conduct outreach to individuals who are
potentially eligible for the program and who are
impacted by a substance use disorder.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to ensure
that individuals participating in the program who are impacted
by a substance use disorder receive accurate nutrition
education from trained staff in an effective and unbiased
manner.
``(3) Nutrition education materials.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall collaborate
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
develop appropriate evidence-based nutrition education
materials for individuals impacted by a substance use
disorder, including--
``(i) nutrition education materials for
individuals with substance use disorder during
pregnancy and in the postpartum period; and
``(ii) nutrition education materials for
infants impacted by prenatal substance exposure
and neonatal abstinence syndrome.
``(B) Educational materials update.--The materials
developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be
included in the educational materials developed under
paragraph (15) of section 515(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-21(b)) and guidance issued
under section 1005 of the SUPPORT for Patients and
Communities Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a note).
``(4) Nutrition education clearinghouse.--The Secretary
shall make available to all State agencies through an online
clearinghouse any nutrition education and training materials
related to nutrition for individuals impacted by a substance
use disorder or neonatal abstinence syndrome that have been
produced by the Secretary or the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (or produced by a State agency and approved by the
Secretary), including educational materials developed under
paragraph (15) of section 515(b) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-21(b)) and guidance issued under section
1005 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (42 U.S.C.
1396a note).
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until
expended.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 17(q) of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(q)), as redesignated by subsection (a) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (o)(1)(A)''
and inserting ``subsection (p)(1)(A)''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``subsection
(o)(1)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection (p)(1)(A)''.
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