2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25101648D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1918

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 6, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 an article numbered 23, consisting of a section numbered 32.1-73.28, relating to Women's Menstrual Health Program established; screening; treatment; information collection.

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Patrons—LeVere Bolling, Price, Bennett-Parker, Maldonado, Rasoul and Shin

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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 an article numbered 23, consisting of a section numbered 32.1-73.28, as follows:

Article 23.

Women's Menstrual Health Program.

§ 32.1-73.28. Women's Menstrual Health Program.

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Endometriosis" means a systemic disease generally occurring in menstruating individuals, which may also occur in premenarchal and postmenopausal individuals.

"Menstrual disorder" means any menstruation-related disorder or menstruation-related condition and includes endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

B. The Commissioner shall establish within the Department the Women's Menstrual Health Program to identify and assist patients who have displayed symptoms related to menstrual disorders.

C. The Department shall, in accordance with evidence-based industry best practices, guidelines, and screening tools, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or another nationally recognized body as may be designated by the Commissioner:

1. Contract with appropriate health care providers to (i) identify; (ii) assist; (iii) provide screenings for endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome to; and (iv) provide any necessary treatment, follow-up care, and referrals, as appropriate, to patients who have displayed symptoms related to menstrual disorders;

2. Provide education and training to health care providers, hospital staff who encounter patients in emergency situations, and the public concerning menstrual health, menstrual health screening, and menstrual health care; and

3. Provide information and resources on the Department's website for health care providers and patients, which shall include:

a. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for health care providers for the screening, referral, treatment, and follow-up care of patients who have displayed symptoms related to menstrual disorders; and

b. Educational materials for health care providers and the public concerning menstrual disorders.

D. The Commissioner shall collect information on patients who were screened pursuant to subdivision C 1 in a standardized manner and shall develop a system for quality assurance that includes the periodic assessment of indicators that are measurable, functional, and appropriate to the conditions for which patients who have displayed symptoms related to menstrual disorders shall be identified as potentially having endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome pursuant to subdivision C 1. The Commissioner may use the information collected to provide follow-up care to, and appropriate referrals for, patients with positive diagnoses through the health care providers contracted pursuant to subdivision C 1. Information on patients compiled pursuant to this section shall be used by the Department and any other agencies designated by the Commissioner for the purposes of carrying out this section, but such information shall otherwise be confidential and not divulged or made public so as to disclose the identity of any person to which it relates, except as provided by law.

E. The Board shall promulgate regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.