In this subtitle, “women of childbearing age” means women between the ages of 15 and 45 years old who have family incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

The Department shall establish a program to distribute a folic acid supplement to women of childbearing age. The purpose of the program is to reduce the number of cases of neural tube defects in the State. The program shall provide the following to women of childbearing age as appropriate, based on an assessment of their individual need: An appropriate folic acid supplement that contains the recommended level of folic acid for women of childbearing age; Counseling and written information regarding the proper use of the supplement; and Any other health information that the Department determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.

Subject to the availability of funding, the program shall be funded as provided in the State budget.