Sec. 4. (a) In awarding grants under this chapter, the state department shall give preference to proposals that seek to do any of the following:

(1) Improve access and coordination through outreach and follow-up services for pregnant women and fathers who are at risk of not receiving prenatal care and support.

(2) Incentivize at-risk pregnant women and fathers to obtain prenatal care and support, including behavioral health counseling before and after the birth of the child.

(3) Decrease smoking rates among pregnant women and fathers.

(4) Promote evidence based home visitation by a trained provider or coordinator.

(5) Incentivize collaboration between health care providers and other human services providers in providing outreach to at-risk pregnant women and fathers.

(6) Address the issue of infant mortality on a regional basis.

(7) Allow local health departments, health care providers, and other human services providers to receive grants under this chapter to assist individuals seeking contraceptives.

(8) Provide instruction on the use of fertility awareness-based family planning methods.

(9) Prioritize populations with demonstrable higher need.

     (b) The state department may not award a grant that will be used for any of the following purposes:

(1) Distribute a contraceptive to a student of:

(A) a nonpublic school (as defined in IC 20-18-2-12); or

(B) a public school (as defined in IC 20-18-2-15);

through a school run program.

(2) Distribute a contraceptive to an individual who is less than eighteen (18) years of age without the consent of a parent or guardian of the individual.

As added by P.L.125-2015, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.180-2022(ss), SEC.18; P.L.147-2023, SEC.30.