MCH Database Features and Notes
2017-18 Session. There were more than 400 enacted bills and resolutions in state legislatures.
Childhood Obesity Note: NCSL included certain acts on physical activity and physical education that reflect states’ commitments to data collection and analysis, awareness and raising education and activity standards that can address childhood obesity, although childhood obesity may not be expressly mentioned.
Appropriations/Budget Note: NCSL excluded appropriation and budget bills, except in the case of legislatures that included substantial policy-specific language directing the implementation or coordination of funding appropriated.
Full Text: The full text of bills is now available to members and all users by clicking on the bill number. All visitors to this site may access all features at no charge and without use of a password.
The explanations of topics provided below are brief highlights of filed legislation contained in the database and are not intended to include all features or provisions. Users can search text for examples and specific keywords.
Explanation of Search Keywords
Childhood Obesity
State policies that focus on decreasing rates of childhood obesity. This includes policies that address how healthcare providers and communities prevent, diagnose and treat childhood obesity. Please note: While related to childhood obesity, childhood nutrition is a separate category for ease of classification.
Children's Nutrition
State policies that address the nutritional value of food provided to children in public schools and other settings, such as “lunch shaming,” policies or programs related to children’s food in schools such as shared table, school meal programs, WIC (Women, Infants and Children’s program) and others.
Children's Mental Health—Schools
State policies that address a student’s mental health through increased access to mental health prevention services, screenings and/or treatment in schools.
Children's Mental Health—Services
State policies that address children’s mental health outside of a school setting. This includes prevention services, screening services, insurance mandates or requirements and inpatient and outpatient services and treatment.
Maternal Mental Health
State policies that address access to care or provide programmatic supports and services for women from the preconception period to the post-partum period.
Infant Mortality
State policies addressing infant mortality. These may include infant mortality review commissions, labor and delivery procedural or payment policies, data collection and community-based approaches.
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
State policies addressing maternal mortality and/or morbidity. These may include maternal mortality review commissions, labor and delivery procedural or payment policies, data collection, and community-based approaches.
Childhood Immunization Requirements
State policies related to public school vaccine requirements for children and other related policies.
Newborn Screening
State policies related to screening newborns for developmental, genetic, and metabolic disorders through a blood test, identifying potentially fatal diseases.
Children's Oral Health
State policies related to children’s oral health in school settings or community settings. This may include provider education and screening for diseases. Includes policies and programs that improve children’s access to oral health services.
Breastfeeding
State policies that facilitate women’s ability to breastfeed. Includes state laws related to breast milk banks, breastfeeding in the workplace and supporting breastfeeding through various state programs and agencies.
Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
State policies related to increasing access to post-partum LARC insertion.
Oral Health and Pregnancy
State policies related to access to oral health coverage, services or oral health education for pregnant women.