Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Research topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fresno County board tables Cal Poly MOU after questions over "birthing persons" language
Summary
Board members pulled a public health MOU with Cal Poly from the consent calendar and voted to table it while staff seeks clarification on whether the study language referring to "birthing persons" includes transgender people; item also flagged for insurer language about molestation coverage.
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday pulled a memorandum of understanding with Cal Poly from the consent calendar and voted to table the item while staff seeks clarification about terminology and insurance language.
Board members said they were unclear whether the MOU and the related research would study "mothers" only or a broader group described in the draft as "birthing persons," a term the board said required explicit definition before the county signs an agreement that uses federal (NIH) funds and county data.
Why it matters: Supervisors said the wording could change who is included in the study and asked county public health and the county administrative office to return with a clear definition from Cal Poly so the board can decide whether to approve a sole-source MOU and allow use of county data.
Details: The item was pulled from consent for discussion. Fresno County Public Health staff said similar terminology has appeared in other agreements and that the MOU uses federally sourced funding. Supervisors pressed for clarity on whether the study population is biological mothers or a broader category labeled "birthing persons," and asked staff to return with a written clarification from Cal Poly. The discussion also noted an indemnity/insurance provision addressing molestation coverage that staff said is increasingly common in contracts involving minors.
Board action: A supervisor moved to bring the item back in two weeks; staff said Cal Poly would be contacted for clarification but could not guarantee the two-week timeline. The board ultimately voted to table the MOU to a date uncertain and asked county staff to follow up with Cal Poly and report back.
Context and next steps: County staff said the MOU involves use of data for maternal and cardiovascular research and that federal funding (NIH) is involved. Supervisors said they would not oppose maternal-health research but wanted firm, written definitions so the board could accurately assess scope and public perception before approving a sole-source exception to competitive bidding.
Provenance: Transcript excerpts for this topic appear where the consent item was pulled for discussion and where the board voted to table the item; staff indicated they would contact Cal Poly and noted contract insurance language.
