The Florida Senate

381.0045  Targeted outreach for pregnant women.--

(1)  This section may be cited as the "Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act of 1998."

(2)  It is the purpose of this section to establish a targeted outreach program for high-risk pregnant women who may not seek proper prenatal care, who suffer from substance abuse problems, or who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and to provide these women with links to much needed services and information.

(3)  Effective October 1, 1998, the Department of Health shall establish a 2-year pilot program to provide outreach services to high-risk pregnant women, based in county health departments in the five counties with the highest rates of HIV infection in pregnant women and the largest proportion of substance-exposed newborns. These counties shall include Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, and Orange Counties.

(4)  The department shall:

(a)  Conduct outreach programs through contracts with, grants to, or other working relationships with persons or entities where the target population is likely to be found.

(b)  Provide outreach that is peer-based, culturally sensitive, and performed in a nonjudgmental manner.

(c)  Encourage high-risk pregnant women of unknown status to be tested for HIV.

(d)  Educate women not receiving prenatal care as to the benefits of such care.

(e)  Provide HIV-infected pregnant women with information so they can make an informed decision about the use of Zidovudine (AZT).

(f)  Link women with substance abuse treatment, when available, and act as a liaison with Healthy Start coalitions, children's medical services, Ryan White-funded providers, and other services of the Department of Health.

(g)  Provide continued oversite to HIV-exposed newborns.

(5)  The types of entities the department is encouraged to contract with, provide grants to, or enter into other working relationships with may include, but are not limited to, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, religious organizations, nonprofit community centers, and other social-services-related entities.

History.--s. 1, ch. 98-307.