§ 16-19-13-3 — Purposes

Indiana § 16-19-13-3

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Title 16: HEALTH
• Art. 19: STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
• Ch. 13: Office of Women's Health

Text

The office is established for the following
purposes:
(1) To educate and advocate for women's health by requesting that
the state department, either on its own or in partnership with other
entities, establish appropriate forums, programs, or initiatives
designed to educate the public regarding women's health, with an
emphasis on preventive health and healthy lifestyles.
(2) To assist the state health commissioner in identifying,
coordinating, and establishing priorities for programs, services,
and resources the state should provide for women's health issues
and concerns relating to the reproductive, menopausal, and
postmenopausal phases of a woman's life, with an emphasis on
postmenopausal health.
(3) To serve as a clearinghouse and resource for information
regarding women's health data, strategies, services, and programs
that address women's health issues, including the following:
(A) Diseases that significantly impact women, including heart
disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
(B) Menopause.
(C) Mental health.
(D) Substance abuse.
(E) Sexually transmitted diseases.
(F) Sexual assault and domestic violence.
(G) Female genital mutilation (as defined in IC 35-42-2-10).
(4) To collect, classify, and analyze relevant research information
and data conducted or compiled by:
(A) the state department; or
(B) other entities in collaboration with the state department;
and to provide interested persons with information regarding the
research results, except as prohibited by law.
(5) To develop and recommend funding and program activities for
educating the public on women's health initiatives, including the
following:
(A) Health needs throughout a woman's life.
(B) Diseases that significantly affect women, including heart
disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
(C) Access to health care for women.
(D) Poverty and women's health.
(E) The leading causes of morbidity and mortality for women.
(F) Special health concerns of minority women.
(6) To make recommendations to the state health commissioner
regarding programs that address women's health issues for
inclusion in the state department's biennial budget and strategic
planning.
(7) To seek funding from private or governmental entities to carry
out the purposes of this chapter.
(8) To prepare materials for publication and dissemination to the
public on women's health.
(9) To conduct public educational forums in Indiana to raise
public awareness and to educate citizens about women's health
programs, issues, and services.
(10) To coordinate the activities and programs of the office with
other entities that focus on women's health or women's issues,
including the Indiana commission for women (IC 4-23-25-3).
(11) To represent the state health commissioner, upon request,
before the general assembly and the Indiana commission for
women established by IC 4-23-25-3.
(12) To provide an annual report to the governor, the legislative
council, and the Indiana commission for women regarding the
successes of the programs of the office, priorities and services
needed for women's health in Indiana, and areas for improvement.
A report provided under this subdivision to the legislative council
must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
This section does not allow the director or any employees of the office
to advocate, promote, refer to, or otherwise advance abortion or
abortifacients.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.52-1999, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.28-2004, SEC.135; P.L.51-2021, SEC.1.