SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Willie Preston passed a measure through the Senate Licensed Activities Committee to expand implicit bias training for health care workers in Illinois.

“Having implicit bias training in our health care system is essential as Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause of deaths than white women,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “We must protect the maternal health of every women in our state.”

House Bill 2517 would expand implicit bias training for health care workers in Illinois to include training in potential maternal health risk factors associated with marginalized communities with increased mortality rate.

The course would include education on current statistics about pregnancy-related death for all racial and ethnic groups, potential risk factors associated with women that are a part of a marginalized racial or ethnic group that has increased maternal mortality rates, and medical care plans and programs that have been demonstrated to successfully decrease maternal mortality rates and complications before and after pregnancy.

“All mothers – regardless of race, income or any other factor – deserve respectful, dignified and quality care,” said Preston. “I will continue to amplify their voices and advocate for policies that prioritize their health and well-being.”

House Bill 2517 passed the Senate Licensed Activities Committee on Wednesday.