,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #cacg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #bf1 #bjbc,ms4 ,duckworth 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,baldwin1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4 ,fetterman1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 ,ms4 ,smith1 ,ms4 ,warren1 and ,mr4 ,whitehouse7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to allow ,americans to receive paid leave time to process and address their own health needs and the health needs of their partners during the period following a pregnancy loss1 an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure1 a failed adoption arrangement1 a failed surrogacy arrangement1 or a diagnosis or event that impacts pregnancy or fertility1 to support related research and education1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,support ,through ,loss ,act4 #b4 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to allow individuals in the ,united ,states to receive supplementary paid leave time to process and address their own health needs and the health needs of their partners during the period following a pregnancy loss1 an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure1 a failed adoption arrangement1 a failed surrogacy arrangement1 or a diagnosis or event that impacts pregnancy or fertility2 and 7#b7 to support related research or education4 ,i ,paid leave following a pregnancy loss #aja4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,assisted reproductive technology procedure ,the term assisted reproductive technology procedure has the meaning given the term assisted reproductive technology in section #h of the ,fertility ,clinic ,success ,rate and ,certification ,act of #aiib 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bfc;a-#g74 7#b7 ,commerce ,the terms commerce and industry or activity affecting commerce mean any activity1 business1 or industry in commerce or in which a labor dispute would hinder or obstruct commerce or the free flow of commerce1 and include commerce and any industry affecting commerce1 as defined in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#c7 of section #eja of the ,labor ,management ,relations ,act1 #aidg 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #adb 7#a7 and 7#c774 7#c7 ,domestic partner ,the term domestic partner1 used with respect to an unmarried employee1 includes-- 7,a7 the person recognized as the domestic partner of the employee under any domestic partnership or civil union law of a ,state or political subdivision of a ,state2 and 7,b7 an unmarried1 adult person who is in a committed1 personal relationship with the employee1 who is not a domestic partner as described in subparagraph 7,a7 to or in such a relationship with any other person1 and who is designated to the employee's employer by such employee as that employee's domestic partner4 7#d7 ,employee ,the term employee means an individual who is-- 7,a7 7i7 an employee1 as defined in section #c7;e7 of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bjc7;e771 who is not covered under any other provision of this paragraph1 except that a reference in such section to an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in clauses 7i77,i7 and 7ii7 of paragraph 7#e77;,a72 or 7ii7 an employee of the ,government ,accountability ,office2 7,b7 a ,state employee described in section #cjd7;a7 of the ,government ,employee ,rights ,act of #aiia 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;e-#af;c7a772 7,c7 a covered employee1 as defined in section #aja of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja71 other than an applicant for employment2 7,d7 a covered employee1 as defined in section #daa7;c7 of title #c1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7,e7 a ,federal officer or employee covered under subchapter ,v of chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7without regard to the limitation in section #fcha7a77;,b7 of that title71 who is not covered under subparagraph 7,d74 7#e7 ,employer 7,a7 ,in general ,the term employer means a person who is-- 7i7 7,i7 a covered employer who is not described in any other subclause of this clause2 7,,ii7 an entity employing a ,state employee described in section #cjd7;a7 of the ,government ,employee ,rights ,act of #aiia2 7,,iii7 an employing office1 as defined in section #aja of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie2 7,,iv7 an employing office1 as defined in section #daa7;c7 of title #c1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7,v7 an employing agency covered under subchapter ,v of chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7ii7 engaged in commerce 7including government71 or an industry or activity affecting commerce 7including government74 7,b7 ,covered employer 7i7 ,in general ,in subparagraph 7,a77i77,i71 the term covered employer-- 7,i7 means any person engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce who employs #e or more employees for each working day during each of #bj or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding year2 7,,ii7 includes-- 7aa7 any person who acts1 directly or indirectly1 in the interest of an employer covered by this clause to any of the employees of such employer2 and 7bb7 any successor in interest of an employer2 7,,iii7 includes any public agency2 and 7,,iv7 includes the ,government ,accountability ,office4 7ii7 ,public agency ,for purposes of clause 7i77,,iii71 a public agency shall be considered to be a person engaged in commerce or in an industry or activity affecting commerce4 7iii7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this subparagraph3 7,i7 ,employee ,the term employee has the meaning given such term in section #c7;e7 of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bjc7;e774 7,,ii7 ,person ,the term person has the meaning given such term in section #c7;a7 of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bjc7;a774 7,,iii7 ,public agency ,the term public agency has the meaning given such term in section #c7x7 of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bjc7x774 7,c7 ,predecessors ,any reference in this paragraph to an employer shall include a reference to any predecessor of such employer4 7#f7 ,employment benefits ,the term employment benefits means all benefits provided or made available to employees by an employer1 including group life insurance1 health insurance1 disability insurance1 sick leave1 annual leave1 educational benefits1 and pensions1 regardless of whether such benefits are provided by a practice or written policy of an employer or through an employee benefit plan1 as defined in section #c7c7 of the ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7c774 7#g7 ,paid leave time ,the term paid leave time means an increment of compensated leave that can be granted to an employee for use during an absence from employment for any reason described in section #ajb7;b74 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#i7 ,spouse ,the term spouse1 with respect to an employee1 has the meaning given such term by the marriage laws of the ,state in which the marriage was celebrated4 7#aj7 ,state ,the term ,state has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bjc74 7#aa7 ,unpaid leave time ,the term unpaid leave time means the leave granted and used in the same manner and under the same conditions as paid leave time for the purposes of this title1 except that no compensation shall be paid4 #ajb4 ,paid leave time 7a7 ,granting leave time 7#a7 ,in general ,an employer shall grant to each employee employed by the employer1 not less than #ef hours of paid leave time on the employee's first workday of each calendar year4 ,the employee may use the paid leave time as needed during that calendar year for reasons described in subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,carryover ,paid leave time granted under paragraph 7#a7 shall not carry over from #a year to the next4 7#c7 ,employers with existing policies ,any employer with a paid leave policy who makes available an amount of paid leave that is sufficient to meet the requirements of this section and that is made available for all stated reasons and under all stated conditions that are the same as the reasons and conditions outlined in subsection 7b7 shall not be required to grant an employee additional paid leave time under this section4 7#d7 ,construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring financial or other reimbursement to an employee from an employer upon the employee's termination1 resignation1 retirement1 or other separation from employment for granted paid leave time that has not been used4 7#e7 ,prohibition ,an employer may not require1 as a condition of providing paid leave time under this title1 that the employee involved search for or find a replacement employee to cover the hours during which the employee is using paid leave time4 7b7 ,uses ,paid leave time granted under subsection 7a77#a7 may be used by an employee for any of the following3 7#a7 ,an absence resulting from-- 7,a7 a pregnancy loss2 7,b7 an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure2 7,c7 a failed adoption match or an adoption that is not finalized because it is contested by another party2 7,d7 a failed surrogacy arrangement2 or 7,e7 a diagnosis or event that impacts pregnancy or fertility4 7#b7 ,an absence to care for a spouse or domestic partner who experiences a circumstance described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,procedures ,paid leave time granted under subsection 7a77#a7 shall be provided upon the oral or written request of an employee4 ,such request shall-- 7#a7 include the expected duration of the period of such time2 and 7#b7 be provided as soon as practicable after the employee is aware of the need for such period4 #ajc4 ,notice requirement 7a7 ,in general ,each employer shall notify each employee and include in any employee handbook the information described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c74 ,each employer shall post and keep posted a notice1 to be prepared or approved in accordance with procedures specified in regulations prescribed under section #aaj1 setting forth excerpts from1 or summaries of1 the pertinent provisions of this title1 including-- 7#a7 information describing paid leave time available to employees under this title2 7#b7 information pertaining to the filing of an action under this title2 and 7#c7 information that describes-- 7,a7 the protections that an employee has in exercising rights under this title2 and 7,b7 how the employee can contact the ,secretary 7or other appropriate authority as described in section #aje7 if any of the rights are violated4 7b7 ,location ,the notice described under subsection 7a7 shall be posted-- 7#a7 in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer1 where notices to employees 7including applicants7 are customarily posted2 or 7#b7 in employee handbooks4 7c7 ,violation2 penalty ,any employer who willfully violates the posting requirements of this section shall be subject to a civil fine in an amount not to exceed #ajj for each separate offense4 #ajd4 ,prohibited acts 7a7 ,interference with rights 7#a7 ,exercise of rights ,it shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with1 restrain1 or deny the exercise of1 or the attempt to exercise1 any right provided under this title1 including-- 7,a7 discharging or discriminating against 7including retaliating against7 any individual1 including a job applicant1 for exercising1 or attempting to exercise1 any right provided under this title2 7,b7 using the taking of paid leave time or unpaid leave time under this title as a negative factor in an employment action1 such as hiring1 promotion1 reducing hours or number of shifts1 or a disciplinary action2 or 7,c7 counting the paid leave time or unpaid leave time under a no-fault attendance policy or any other absence control policy4 7#b7 ,discrimination ,it shall be unlawful for any employer to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against 7including retaliating against7 any individual1 including a job applicant1 for opposing any practice made unlawful by this title4 7b7 ,interference with proceedings or inquiries ,it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against 7including retaliating against7 any individual1 including a job applicant1 because such individual-- 7#a7 has filed an action1 or has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding1 under or related to this title2 7#b7 has given1 or is about to give1 any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this title2 or 7#c7 has testified1 or is about to testify1 in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this title4 7c7 ,construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed to state or imply that the scope of the activities prohibited by section #aje of the ,family and ,medical ,leave ,act of #aiic 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bfae7 or the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;a et seq47 is less than the scope of the activities prohibited by this section or is otherwise altered by the activities prohibited by this section4 #aje4 ,enforcement authority 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,definition ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term employee means an employee described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #aja7d72 and 7,b7 the term employer means an employer described in subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of section #aja7e77;,a77i74 7#b7 ,investigative authority 7,a7 ,in general ,to ensure compliance with the provisions of this title1 or any regulation or order issued under this title1 the ,secretary shall have1 subject to subparagraph 7,c71 the investigative authority provided under section #aa7;a7 of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #baa7;a771 with respect to employers1 employees1 and other individuals affected4 7,b7 ,obligation to keep and preserve records ,an employer shall make1 keep1 and preserve records pertaining to compliance with this title in accordance with section #aa7;c7 of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #baa7;c77 and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the ,secretary4 7,c7 ,required submissions generally limited to an annual basis ,the ,secretary shall not require1 under the authority of this paragraph1 an employer to submit to the ,secretary any books or records more than once during any #ab-month period1 unless the ,secretary has reasonable cause to believe there may exist a violation of this title or any regulation or order issued pursuant to this title1 or is investigating a charge pursuant to paragraph 7#d74 7,d7 ,subpoena authority ,for the purposes of any investigation provided for in this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall have the subpoena authority provided for under section #i of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bji74 7#c7 ,civil action by employees or individuals 7,a7 ,right of action ,an action to recover the damages or equitable relief prescribed in subparagraph 7,b7 may be maintained against any employer in any ,federal or ,state court of competent jurisdiction by an employee or individual or a representative for and on behalf of-- 7i7 the employee or individual2 or 7ii7 the employee or individual and others similarly situated4 7,b7 ,liability ,any employer who violates section #ajd 7including a violation relating to rights provided under section #ajb7 shall be liable to any employee or individual affected-- 7i7 for damages equal to-- 7,i7 the amount of-- 7aa7 any wages1 salary1 employment benefits1 or other compensation denied or lost by reason of the violation2 or 7bb7 in a case in which wages1 salary1 employment benefits1 or other compensation have not been denied or lost1 any actual monetary losses sustained as a direct result of the violation up to a sum equal to #ef hours of wages or salary for the employee or individual2 7,,ii7 the interest on the amount described in subclause 7,i7 calculated at the prevailing rate2 and 7,,iii7 an additional amount as liquidated damages2 and 7ii7 for such equitable relief as may be appropriate1 including employment1 reinstatement1 and promotion4 7,c7 ,fees and costs ,the court in an action under this paragraph shall1 in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff1 allow a reasonable attorney's fee1 reasonable expert witness fees1 and other costs of the action to be paid by the defendant4 7#d7 ,action by the ,secretary 7,a7 ,administrative action ,the ,secretary shall receive1 investigate1 and attempt to resolve complaints of violations of section #ajd 7including a violation relating to rights provided under section #ajb7 in the same manner that the ,secretary receives1 investigates1 and attempts to resolve complaints of violations of sections #f and #g of the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bjf and #bjg74 7,b7 ,civil action ,the ,secretary may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the damages described in paragraph 7#c77;,b77i74 7,c7 ,sums recovered ,any sums recovered by the ,secretary pursuant to subparagraph 7,b7 shall be held in a special deposit account and shall be paid1 on order of the ,secretary1 directly to each employee or individual affected4 ,any such sums not paid to an employee or individual affected because of inability to do so within a period of #c years shall be deposited into the ,treasury of the ,united ,states as miscellaneous receipts4 7#e7 ,limitation 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 an action may be brought under paragraph 7#c71 7#d71 or 7#f7 not later than #b years after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation for which the action is brought4 7,b7 ,willful violation ,in the case of an action brought for a willful violation of section #ajd 7including a willful violation relating to rights provided under section #ajb71 such action may be brought not later than #c years after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation for which such action is brought4 7,c7 ,commencement ,in determining when an action is commenced under paragraph 7#c71 7#d71 or 7#f7 for the purposes of this paragraph1 it shall be considered to be commenced on the date when the complaint is filed4 7#f7 ,action for injunction by ,secretary ,the district courts of the ,united ,states shall have jurisdiction1 for cause shown1 in an action brought by the ,secretary-- 7,a7 to restrain violations of section #ajd 7including a violation relating to rights provided under section #ajb71 including the restraint of any withholding of payment of wages1 salary1 employment benefits1 or other compensation1 plus interest1 found by the court to be due to employees or individuals eligible under this title2 or 7,b7 to award such other equitable relief as may be appropriate1 including employment1 reinstatement1 and promotion4 7#g7 ,solicitor of ,labor ,the ,solicitor of ,labor may appear for and represent the ,secretary on any litigation brought under paragraph 7#d7 or 7#f74 7#h7 ,government ,accountability ,office ,notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection1 in the case of the ,government ,accountability ,office1 the authority of the ,secretary of ,labor under this subsection shall be exercised by the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,employees covered by ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie ,the powers1 remedies1 and procedures provided in the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja et seq47 to the ,board 7as defined in section #aja of that ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja771 or any person1 alleging a violation of section #bjb7;a77#a7 of that ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acab7;a77#a77 shall be the powers1 remedies1 and procedures this title provides to that ,board1 or any person1 alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this title against an employee described in section #aja7d77;,c74 7c7 ,employees covered by chapter #e of title #c1 ,united ,states ,code ,the powers1 remedies1 and procedures provided in chapter #e of title #c1 ,united ,states ,code1 to the ,president1 the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board1 or any person1 alleging a violation of section #dab7;a77#a7 of that title1 shall be the powers1 remedies1 and procedures this title provides to the ,president1 that ,board1 or any person1 respectively1 alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this title against an employee described in section #aja7d77;,d74 7d7 ,employees covered by chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code ,the powers1 remedies1 and procedures provided in title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 to an employing agency1 provided in chapter #ab of that title to the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board1 or provided in that title to any person1 alleging a violation of chapter #fc of that title1 shall be the powers1 remedies1 and procedures this title provides to that agency1 that ,board1 or any person1 respectively1 alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this title against an employee described in section #aja7d77;,e74 7e7 ,remedies for ,state employees 7#a7 ,waiver of sovereign immunity ,a ,state's receipt or use of ,federal financial assistance for any program or activity of a ,state shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity1 under the #aath ,amendment to the ,constitution or otherwise1 to a suit brought by an employee of that program or activity under this title for equitable1 legal1 or other relief authorized under this title4 7#b7 ,official capacity ,an official of a ,state may be sued in the official capacity of the official by any employee who has complied with the procedures under subsection 7a77#c71 for injunctive relief that is authorized under this title4 ,in such a suit the court may award to the prevailing party those costs authorized by section #gbb of the ,revised ,statutes 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aihh74 7#c7 ,applicability ,with respect to a particular program or activity1 paragraph 7#a7 applies to conduct occurring on or after the day1 after the date of enactment of this title1 on which a ,state first receives or uses ,federal financial assistance for that program or activity4 7#d7 ,definition of program or activity ,in this subsection1 the term program or activity has the meaning given the term in section #fjf of the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;d-#d;a74 #ajf4 ,education and outreach 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may conduct a public awareness campaign to educate and inform the public of the requirements for paid leave time required by this title4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out such campaign4 #ajg4 ,effect on other laws 7a7 ,federal and ,state antidiscrimination laws ,nothing in this title shall be construed to modify or affect any ,federal or ,state law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race1 religion1 color1 national origin1 sex1 age1 or disability4 7b7 ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws ,nothing in this title shall be construed to supersede 7including preempting7 any provision of any ,federal1 ,state1 or local law that provides greater paid or unpaid family or medical leave rights than the rights established under this title4 #ajh4 ,effect on existing employment benefits 7a7 ,more protective ,nothing in this title shall be construed to diminish the obligation of an employer to comply with any contract1 collective bargaining agreement1 or any employment benefit program or plan that provides greater paid leave or other leave rights to employees or individuals than the rights established under this title4 7b7 ,less protective ,the rights established for employees under this title shall not be diminished by any contract1 collective bargaining agreement1 or any employment benefit program or plan4 #aji4 ,encouragement of more generous leave policies ,nothing in this title shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting or retaining leave policies more generous than policies that comply with the requirements of this title4 #aaj4 ,regulations 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,authority ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this title1 the ,secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title with respect to employees described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #aja7d7 and other individuals affected by employers described in subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of section #aja7e77;,a77i74 7#b7 ,government ,accountability ,office ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall prescribe the regulations with respect to employees of the ,government ,accountability ,office and the ,library of ,congress1 respectively1 and other individuals affected by the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,employees covered by ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#a7 ,authority ,not later than #ij days after the ,secretary prescribes regulations under subsection 7a71 the ,board of ,directors of the ,office of ,compliance shall prescribe 7in accordance with section #cjd of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #achd77 such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title with respect to employees described in section #aja7d77;,c7 and other individuals affected by employers described in section #aja7e77;,a77i77,,iii74 7#b7 ,agency regulations ,the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#a7 shall be the same as substantive regulations promulgated by the ,secretary to carry out this title except insofar as the ,board may determine1 for good cause shown and stated together with the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#a71 that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections involved under this section4 7c7 ,employees covered by chapter #e of title #c1 ,united ,states ,code 7#a7 ,authority ,not later than #ij days after the ,secretary prescribes regulations under subsection 7a71 the ,president 7or the designee of the ,president7 shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title with respect to employees described in section #aja7d77;,d7 and other individuals affected by employers described in section #aja7e77;,a77i77,,iv74 7#b7 ,agency regulations ,the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#a7 shall be the same as substantive regulations promulgated by the ,secretary to carry out this title except insofar as the ,president 7or designee7 may determine1 for good cause shown and stated together with the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#a71 that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections involved under this section4 7d7 ,employees covered by chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7#a7 ,authority ,not later than #ij days after the ,secretary prescribes regulations under subsection 7a71 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title with respect to employees described in section #aja7d77;,e7 and other individuals affected by employers described in section #aja7e77;,a77i77,v74 7#b7 ,agency regulations ,the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#a7 shall be the same as substantive regulations promulgated by the ,secretary to carry out this title except insofar as the ,director may determine1 for good cause shown and stated together with the regulations prescribed under paragraph 7#a71 that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections involved under this section4 #aaa4 ,effective dates 7a7 ,effective date ,this title1 other than section #aaj1 shall take effect #f months after the date of issuance of regulations under section #aaj7;a77#a74 7b7 ,collective bargaining agreements ,in the case of a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date prescribed by subsection 7a71 this title shall take effect on the earlier of-- 7#a7 the date of the termination of such agreement2 or 7#b7 the date that occurs #ah months after the date of issuance of regulations under section #aaj7;a77#a74 ,,ii ,research and education #bja4 ,pregnancy loss public education program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall develop and disseminate to the public information regarding pregnancy loss1 including information on-- 7#a7 awareness of pregnancy loss1 and the incidence and prevalence of pregnancy loss among pregnant people2 and 7#b7 the accessibility of the range of evidence-based treatment options1 as medically appropriate1 for pregnancy loss1 including miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage1 including comprehensive mental health supports1 necessary procedures and medications1 and culturally responsive supports including pregnancy-loss doula care4 7b7 ,dissemination of information ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may disseminate information to the public directly or through arrangements with agencies carrying out intra-agency initiatives1 nonprofit organizations1 consumer groups1 community organizations1 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 or ,federal1 ,state1 or local public-private partnerships4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbf4 #bjb4 ,research with respect to pregnancy loss 7a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health 7in this section referred to as the ,director of ,,nih7 shall expand and coordinate programs for conducting and supporting evidence-based research with respect to causes of and current and novel treatment options and procedures for pregnancy loss4 7b7 ,administration and coordination ,the ,director of ,,nih1 acting through the ,director of the ,office of ,research on ,women's ,health1 shall carry out evidence-based research conducted pursuant to subsection 7a71 in coordination with the appropriate institutes1 offices1 and centers of the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 including the ,national ,institute of ,child ,health and ,human ,development1 the ,national ,institute of ,environmental ,health ,sciences1 the ,national ,institute of ,mental ,health1 and the ,office on ,women's ,health of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #de1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbf4 #bjc4 ,education and dissemination of information to perinatal health care workers with respect to pregnancy loss 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,health ,resources and ,services ,administration and the ,director of the ,agency for ,healthcare ,research and ,quality shall1 in consultation with and in accordance with guidelines from relevant medical societies1 develop and disseminate to perinatal health care workers1 including midwives1 physician assistants1 nurse practitioners1 clinical nurse specialists1 and non-clinical perinatal health care workers1 information on pregnancy loss for the purpose of ensuring that such perinatal health care workers remain informed about current information 7as of the date of dissemination7 regarding pregnancy loss1 including miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage1 and prioritizing both the physical and mental health care of the patient4 7b7 ,perinatal health care worker ,for purposes of this section1 the term perinatal health care worker includes any doula1 community health worker1 peer supporter1 breastfeeding and lactation educator or counselor1 nutritionist or dietitian1 childbirth educator1 social worker1 home visitor1 language interpreter1 or navigator4 #bjd4 ,data collection regarding pregnancy loss ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall1 in an manner that protects personal privacy1 collect and assess data regarding pregnancy loss1 including information 7disaggregated by race1 ethnicity1 health insurance status1 disability1 income level1 and geography7 on the prevalence of1 the incidence of1 and knowledge about pregnancy loss4