The Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to forward CR99 to the full council. The resolution seeks to address racial disparities in maternal outcomes by establishing a Black Maternal Bill of Rights checklist, promoting a standardized maternal experience survey, and creating two advisory groups: a Black Maternal Health Equity Task Force and a Black Maternal Health Fund advisory group.

Sponsor Council member Oriada described the measure as the culmination of ongoing local work and personal experience with maternal care shortcomings. "When I lived through that experience where I wasn't believed, my pain wasn't taken seriously, and it almost cost... the loss of my child, it really put in perspective the importance of investing time and energy into Black maternal health," the sponsor said.

Legislative analysis presented to the committee described the severity of local outcomes: the analyst reported that in 2023 Prince George's County had higher counts than any other Maryland county in fetal deaths (86), perinatal deaths (70), neonatal deaths (52) and infant deaths (79), and noted more than a quarter of Maryland's 4,565 expecting mothers with late or no prenatal care in 2023 were county residents. The analyst and health department representatives emphasized that many pregnancy‑related deaths are preventable.

Dr. Diane Young, associate director for family health services at the Prince George's County Health Department, told the committee the department strongly supports CR99 and described the resolution as operationalizing equity. "These severe maternal morbidities are 80 percent preventable," Dr. Young said, urging a combination of community voice, data collection and funded interventions.

Draft 2 of the resolution contains technical edits clarifying how the maternal experience survey results will be aggregated and reported to the health department and shifts certain partnership language to reference the health department rather than an individual health officer.

The administration indicated support for the measure and asked that the health department be represented on the working group; Dr. Young agreed to serve. Office of Law staff reviewed draft 2 and found it to be in proper legislative form.

The committee voted to forward CR99, draft 2, with a favorable recommendation; Chair Blige, Vice Chair Fisher, Council member Olson, Council vice chair Oriaga and Council member Watson voted yes.

Next steps: CR99 will proceed to the full council. The resolution calls for ongoing data collection, community engagement and establishment of advisory bodies that will make recommendations on fund allocation and policy actions to address Black maternal health disparities.