Committee moves Every Mom Matters and Loving Choices lifeline programs to DHS, pauses hotline tied to abortion services

The Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 4‑65 that moves the Loving Choices lifeline and portions of the Every Mom Matters (EMMA) program from the Department of Health to the Department of Human Services (DHS). The amendment also inserts language to pause portions of EMMA tied to abortion services, with the expectation the statutory authority would allow reactivation if abortion were ever again legal in the state.

Senator (presenter) said EMMA was created in earlier sessions and had been housed in DHS and later under the Department of Health when the program’s abortion‑related components were relevant. Now that those components are not active, the sponsor argued DHS has "expertise in care coordination" and is a more appropriate home for hotlines and wrap‑around service coordination such as housing, employment, child care and related supports. The sponsor said the amended bill also broadens procurement options to allow DHS to contract with multiple vendors for services.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the change in department placement and the scope of services; supporters said moving the program to DHS improves connections to benefits and programs DHS administers. The amendment was adopted by voice vote and the committee passed SB 4‑65 as amended by voice vote.

The transcript includes sponsor statements that the bill "moves that over to DHS and puts a pause on it" for parts no longer necessary given current law. The committee recorded no roll‑call tally in the transcript; passage was by voice vote.

Next steps: SB 4‑65 was passed out of committee as amended and will continue through the legislative process.