Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act

Summary

Directs that nothing in the relevant part of the Social Security Act prevents a State from using LIHEAP grant funds to support “pregnancy centers.” It also defines “pregnancy center” to include organizations that promote protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child and that offer services such as relationship counseling, prenatal education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or other material supports. The measure does not create new funding or new federal program obligations.

• Clarifies that States may use LIHEAP grant funds to support "pregnancy centers."
• Defines "pregnancy center" to include organizations that promote protecting the life of the mother and unborn child and that offer counseling, prenatal education, testing, or material supports.
• Does not create new federal funding or new federal duties; it is a permissive change to allowable uses of existing LIHEAP funds.
• Leaves allocation choices to State LIHEAP administrators; it does not require States to fund such centers.
• Could shift some LIHEAP-funded services toward pregnancy centers if States choose to fund them, potentially affecting how energy-assistance dollars are distributed among recipients and services.
• Does not add reporting, oversight, or eligibility changes for LIHEAP at the federal level in the text provided.
• Affects organizations providing pregnancy-related material supports and services as well as low-income pregnant and parenting individuals who may receive those supports.