B.__Participate in national and regional women's health advisory groups;

C.__Act as liaison to federal agencies on women's and girls' health issues;

D.__Develop programs and services to improve the health of women and girls, expand access to health services and decrease the number of uninsured women and girls;

E.__Analyze and develop public policy;

F.__Make grants and provide technical assistance and support services to nonprofit and community-based organizations working in the field of women's or girls' health;

G.__Conduct health data collection, analysis and research;

H.__Provide communication, coordination and networking among communities, governmental and nongovernmental agencies and entities and health resources, and disseminate information about girls' and women's health;

I.__Conduct strategic planning, monitoring and reporting; and

J.__Provide training, continuing education and technical assistance regarding women's and girls' health.

Sec. 2. Report. The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health and its contractor shall develop a report with strategies and measures to promote the health of Maine's women and girls under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 1656. The bureau shall submit a report detailing the strategies and including any suggested implementing legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health matters by November 1, 2002. The joint standing committee may report out legislation pursuant to this section to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature.

Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Bureau of Health

New Initiative: Provides funds for establishment of the Women's Health Initiative.

General Fund 2002-03

All Other $250,000

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill continues the Women's Health Initiative started by the 119th Legislature and coordinated by the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health. The initiative will be implemented through a state contract. The purpose of the initiative is to improve the health status of and access to health services for women and girls. The initiative is funded with General Fund money for an amount to be contracted out to the entity that provides the services for the program.