HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                        641

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1984 Volume and 1985 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, Adolescent pregnancy is an extremely complex
problem which is costly in both human and fiscal terms; and

WHEREAS, Maryland ranks fourth nationally in the percent of
births to adolescents that occur out of wedlock; and

WHEREAS, Certain areas of the State are well above the
national average in incidence of adolescent pregnancies and
Baltimore City is experiencing the highest rate of adolescent
births for a city of its size in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Pregnancy for adolescents often results in major
health" problems for themselves and their babies including higher
rates of premature and low-birth-weight babies along with the
related higher incidences of infant mortality, congenital
defects, mental retardation, and other serious childhood
diseases; and

WHEREAS, Adolescent parents, both male and female, often
suffer from lower educational attainment and limited career
opportunities resulting in a higher dependence on welfare support
for financial assistance over prolonged periods; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland through the Departments of
Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources, Employment and
Training, and Education spends millions of federal and State
funds to address the short and long term economic, social, and
health-related consequences of adolescent pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, There are numerous public and private agencies and
organizations attempting to prevent adolescent pregnancies as
well as address the needs of pregnant or parenting adolescents;
and

WHEREAS, It is essential that the State of Maryland attempt
to reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancy by a minimum of
50 percent by 1995; and

WHEREAS, Adolescent pregnancy is a problem of such magnitude
and cost that it cannot be addressed by government alone, and
therefore requires a highly cooperative and coordinated effort by
all levels of government and the private sector; and

WHEREAS, The Governor's Task Force on Teenage Pregnancy
recognized the need for greater coordination and recommended the
establishment of an ongoing Governor's Council on Adolescent
Pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that adolescent
pregnancy is a serious social problem. Adolescent pregnancy