This bill, titled the "Supporting Women Act," proposes the establishment of a grant program under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 145, to fund women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The program would be administered by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health.

Key provisions of the bill include:

1. Definitions:

   • A maternity home is defined as a community-based housing facility providing shelter and support for pregnant women, new mothers, and their children who are in crisis or at risk of homelessness.
   • A women’s pregnancy center is defined as an organization that offers resources and support to encourage pregnant women to carry their pregnancies to term and care for their children after birth.

2. Grant Program:

   • The Commissioner of Health would provide grants to eligible nonprofit maternity homes and women’s pregnancy centers.
   • Organizations are eligible if they provide services or referrals to encourage carrying pregnancies to term and provide services free or at a reduced cost.
   • Restrictions: Recipients of the grants may not use funds to promote, provide, or refer women for abortions, except in cases where abortion is necessary to prevent the woman’s death.

3. Use of Grant Funds:

   • Pregnancy centers must use grants for support programs for pregnant women and new mothers.
   • Maternity homes must use funds for housing, supervision, and supportive services.
   • Services provided may include medical care, prenatal education, mental health care, adoption services, education and employment assistance, parenting support, and financial literacy training.

4. Privacy Protections:

   • Organizations must ensure confidentiality for women seeking services, with exceptions for required disclosures to the Commissioner of Health.
   • Medical services must follow existing Minnesota privacy laws.

5. Monitoring and Review:

   • The Commissioner of Health would collect data from grant recipients and oversee compliance with the program’s requirements.

6. Funding Adjustments:

   • The bill reduces funding for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Grants Program by $4 million in both fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
   • Instead, these funds would be reallocated to the grant program, with:
     • $3 million per year for women's pregnancy centers.
     • $1 million per year for maternity homes.

Overall, the bill redirects state funding from broader sexual and reproductive health services toward crisis pregnancy centers and maternity homes that do not provide or refer for abortion services.