This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to create a standardized perinatal health curriculum aimed at training community health workers who provide education and support services to women of childbearing age. The curriculum will cover a wide range of topics that impact maternal and infant health, including alcohol and substance use during pregnancy, maternal medical conditions, premature births, cesarean sections, infant mortality, breastfeeding, and perinatal mood disorders, among others. Additionally, it will address shared decision-making, informed consent, and available resources for women, particularly those accessible through county central intake agencies.

Furthermore, the bill allows the DOH to utilize existing information or resources from other states, professional associations, or federal agencies in developing the curriculum. It also emphasizes the promotion and dissemination of this curriculum as best practices for community doulas, nurse home visitors, and childbirth educators, thereby enhancing access to current perinatal health information for women in New Jersey. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.