CALIFORNIA Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act

The California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act aims to improve maternal health and reduce racial disparities in maternal mortality rates in the state. The act requires healthcare facilities that provide perinatal or prenatal care, including hospitals, alternative birth centers, and primary care clinics, to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all healthcare providers involved in perinatal care. Implicit bias refers to biases in judgment or behavior that operate at a subconscious level and can contribute to health disparities. The program aims to identify and address unconscious biases among healthcare providers and promote a more inclusive and respectful approach to care.

The act also recognizes the importance of addressing intersecting identities and potential biases associated with them. It requires initial basic training for healthcare providers to be completed by June 1, 2025, for current providers and within 6 months of their start date for new providers, unless exempted. Facilities must provide proof of compliance to the State Department of Public Health annually and face administrative penalties for violations. The department has the authority to implement and enforce the act and will adopt regulations to further its purposes.

The act emphasizes the need to treat all birthing people, including nonbinary persons and persons of transgender experience, with dignity and respect. It acknowledges the high maternal mortality rate in the United States and the disparities faced by women of color, particularly Black women. Implicit bias, which often leads to unequal treatment, is recognized as a key cause of health disparities in communities of color. The act aims to reduce the effects of implicit bias in pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care and promote equitable healthcare for all.

Rep. Lori Wilson

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