Sec. 3. 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.

(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.

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