HCR 244

R-296  Page 1 of 2
2026
No. R-296. House concurrent resolution recognizing the week of April 11–17, 2026,
as Black Maternal Health Week in Vermont.
                                         (H.C.R.244)
   Offered by Representatives LaMont of Morristown, Bartley of Fairfax, Berbeco of
Winooski, Bos-Lun of Westminster, Burrows of West Windsor, Carris Duncan of
Whitingham, Chapin of East Montpelier, Cina of Burlington, Cole of Hartford, Dodge of
Essex, Galfetti of Barre Town, Headrick of Burlington, Kleppner of Burlington, Logan of
Burlington, McCann of Montpelier, McGill of Bridport, Rachelson of Burlington,
Stevens of Waterbury, Tomlinson of Winooski, and Yacovone of Morristown
   Whereas, according to a research compendium that KFF, an independent health
research organization, issued in December 2025, there are stark racial disparities in the
nation’s maternal and infant care health outcomes that are highly unfavorable for Black
Americans, and
   Whereas, for example, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion’s Division of Reproductive Health reported that, in 2023, the pregnancy-
related mortality rate per 100,000 births for Black American women was 49.4, while for
white American women it stood at a far-lower 14.9, and
   Whereas, also in 2023, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National
Center for Health Statistics recorded 10.9 Black American infant deaths per 1,000 live
births, and the comparable figure for White American infants was 4.5, and
   Whereas, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is “an [a]lliance of perinatal,
maternal, and reproductive health Black and women-led organizations and
multidisciplinary professionals … [that seeks] to build consensus and articulate priorities
… from those doing work within … [the] communities [of Black American women],”
and
   Whereas, among the organization’s goals are to “cultivate innovative research
methods … to improve Black maternal health … introduce and enhance holistic and
comprehensive approaches to Black mamas’ care … [and] redirect and reframe the
conversation on Black maternal health and amplify the voices of Black mamas,” and
    Whereas, annually, BMMA designates Black Maternal Health Week, which, in 2026,
is from April 11 to 17, and this year the week’s mission is “to center the voices,
leadership, and lived experiences of Black mothers while advancing community-led
systems change rooted in healing, trust, and collaboration,” and
   Whereas, coinciding with this mission is the theme, “Rooted in Justice & Joy: 10
Years of Building the Black Maternal Health Movement,” both honoring “a decade of
groundbreaking work that has transformed the landscape of Black Maternal Health in the
U.S,” and “acknowledging the persistent challenges that demand continued innovation
and action,” now therefore be it
                                                                             VT LEG #389091 v.1
R-296  Page 2 of 2
2026
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
  That the General Assembly recognizes the week of April 11–17, 2026, as Black
Maternal Health Week in Vermont, and be it further
  Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
BMMA.
                                                                           VT LEG #389091 v.1