Johnson-Hostler presents bill targeting maternal mortality, racial gaps in NC

State Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler has put forward new legislation aimed at improving maternal health outcomes and advancing equitable care for mothers statewide, according to the North Carolina State House.

Filed during the 2025 regular session as HB 1195 on April 30, the bill carries the short title: ‘MOMnibus 3.5.’

Below is an overview drawing from the actual bill text, with explanations for clarity on its major components.

Essentially, this legislation proposes a comprehensive North Carolina MOMnibus Act intended to curb maternal mortality and address racial inequities in maternal health, with a primary focus on black women. It creates Maternal Care Access and Perinatal Education grant initiatives for community groups, providing grants from $10,000 to $50,000 with required reporting, and allocates $5 million in recurring funds along with $3 million in nonrecurring funds. The proposal would require evidence-based implicit bias training for perinatal health care professionals, linking license renewals to completion of the program, and establishes defined rights for perinatal patients. Funding is also directed to lactation support instruction at historically Black colleges and to a Momni-Bus Initiative expanding maternal and infant care in maternity care deserts. The main funding and grant elements begin July 1, 2026, while implicit bias provisions take effect in October 2026.

On April 29, 2026, Sen. Natalie S. Murdock, joined by two additional sponsors, introduced a similar bill, SB 906, in the North Carolina Senate.

Among the sponsors, Zack Hawkins led in bill sponsorship, submitting 64 bills during the 2025 regular session.

In North Carolina, bills follow a multi-step process before becoming state law. Lawmakers file a bill, which is then assigned to a committee for consideration. The legislation must pass three readings in both chambers. If either chamber amends a bill after the other has approved it, both must ensure agreement on a final version. When both chambers pass the same bill, it is sent to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 when the assembly is out of session) to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without signature.

Find more about these and related bills here.

Johnson-Hostler earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fayetteville State University.

A Democrat, Johnson-Hostler was elected to represent North Carolina’s 33rd House district in 2025, succeeding Rosa Gill.