Signed by Governor Nathan Deal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill to authorize grants to pregnancy centers.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program within the Department of Public health to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy support services (Sec. 2).

• Defines pregnancy support services as services that encourage childbirth instead of abortion and provide assistance to pregnant women (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Public Health to work with a contract management agency in order to create and maintain grants for pregnancy support services (Sec. 2).

• Defines a contract management agency as a charitable organization that provides alternatives to abortion at no cost to uninsured individuals who are pregnant (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits service providers receiving grants from performing, promoting, or referring patients for an abortion (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits grant funds from being used to promote political or religious ideas, including counseling or written material (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that grants will be awarded annually and shall not exceed 85 percent of the annual revenue from the prior year of the provider (Sec. 2).

• Requires providers receiving grants to maintain records and report data to the Department of Public Health (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Public Health to report to the General Assembly annually on its use of funds (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to accept donations and gifts to carry out the functions of this act (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the grants can fund the following (Sec. 2):

• Medical care and information, including but not limited to pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted infection tests, health screenings, ultrasounds, prenatal care, and birth classes and planning;

• Nutritional services;

• Housing, education, and employment assistance during pregnancy and up to one year after birth;

• Child care assistance;

• Parenting education and support services for up to one year after birth;

• Material items supportive of pregnancy such as cribs, car seats, clothing, formula, and other items; and

• Information about health care benefits, including Medicaid coverage for pregnancy care and for the child after his or her birth.

• Specifies the following conditions to be considered for a grant (Sec. 2):

• Be a non profit organization with a tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

• Have a primary mission to promote healthy pregnancy and birth;

• Have provided pregnancy support services for at least 1 year;

• Offer, at least, pregnancy tests and counseling for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies;

• Provide confidential and free pregnancy support services;

• Provide pregnant clients with accurate information on fetal development;

• Ensure grant money is not used to for abortion-related services unless it is necessary to prevent the individual’s death;

• Maintain confidentiality of all client records; and

• Other conditions such as having an annual budget and a board.

Full Bill Text