1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; appropriating money to Chosen Vessels Midwifery Services to 
1.3 	provide culturally relevant education and support on breastfeeding to African 
1.4 	American families.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO 
1.7 	AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHERS ON BREASTFEEDING.
 1.8 	$....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2025 from the general fund to the commissioner of 
1.9 	health to provide a grant to Chosen Vessels Midwifery Services for a program to provide 
1.10 	education, support, and encouragement for African American mothers to breastfeed their 
1.11 	infants for the first year of life or longer. African American infants are twice as likely to 
1.12 	die before their first birthday as compared to white infants. According to the CDC, 
1.13 	breastfeeding could decrease the African American infant mortality rate by as much as 50 
1.14 	percent. Chosen Vessel Midwifery Services shall combine the midwife model of care with 
1.15 	the cultural tradition of mutual aid to inspire African American women to breastfeed their 
1.16 	infants and to provide support to those that do. This is a onetime appropriation and is 
1.17 	available until June 30, 2026.