Legislation

AB 367 (2003-2004).  A bill that would have established the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) Information Program within MCAH.  Status: Died in Committee

AB 291 (2005-2006).  A bill that would have required MCAH to include a component in their programs that screens pregnant women and new mothers for PMAD. Status: Did not pass 

AB 2317 (2005-2006).  A bill that would have required CDPH to conduct the PMAD Community Awareness Campaign and to submit specified recommendations relating to the implementation of the campaign.  Status: Passed in House and Senate, Vetoed by Governor 

AB 159.  A recently introduced bill, which relies on nonpublic, voluntary contributions for funding, would permit CDPH to establish a PMAD Task Force. Status: Pending

HB 3897: January 2009, 186th Regular Session: An Act Relative to Postpartum Depression. HB 3897 stipulates treatment and coverage for maternal post-partum depression. It details activities such as periodic screenings in multiple settings, interventions, collaborations, referrals, statewide professional development and trainings, and public awareness campaigns. Status: Pending

H.B.2761, S.B. 2207 Introduced January 19, 2008, Post-partum and Interconception Care; requires the Department of Human Services to apply to the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend post-partum and interconception care from eight weeks to at least six months for women who participate in the Hawaii QUEST program.   

Status:  The Center for Medicare Services denied the State Department of Human Services (DHS) request to expand the post-partum period from eight (8) weeks to six (6).   The March of Dimes, Hawaii Chapter, and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii plan to further investigate other avenues for the State to obtain a Medicaid waiver to expand interconception care. 

HB 2666, 75th Oregon Legislative Assembly, 2009 Regular Session, relates to perinatal mental health and declares an emergency. HB 2666 creates a work group providers, advocates, public health professionals and others, appointed by the DHS Director, to develop findings and recommendations  related to maternal mental health disorders (during pregnancy through one year after delivery) Status: Passed by House 4/27/09 and Senate 6/5/2009

S. 826, 79th Legislature, 2005, directs the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and effects of providing 12 months of Medicaid health services to women who are diagnosed with postpartum depression and who are eligible for Medicaid at the time of diagnosis. Status: Passed 2005 

S. 316, 79th Legislature, 2005, requires doctors, hospitals, birthing centers and midwives to provide information on perinatal depression and other emotional trauma. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) developed a brochure to be used for this purpose. Status: Passed 2005 

H.B. 341, 78th Legislature, 2003, develop and maintain a resource list of professionals for perinatal depression. This is listed on the website or by calling 2-1-1. Status: Passed 2003 

LD 792/SP 241, 123rd Legislature, February 2007, this bill will provide information on and screening for prenatal and postpartum mental health issues to pregnant women and mothers of children under one year of age and information to the partners, spouses or fathers and family members, as appropriate. Status: Passed 2007

S. 383 introduced on 1/7/2009, directs the commissioner to work with healthcare facilities and licensed professionals to develop policies and procedures concerning postpartum depression, including information to departing new mothers, fathers and other family members. Status: Pending

HB 844, 2004, Requiring each hospital or health care facility that provides maternity and obstetrical services to provide written information about postpartum depression to maternity patients prior to a patient's discharge; specifying that failure to meet the requirements of the Act may not be construed to create a private right of action; etc. Status: Did not pass*

*Although this did not pass Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did respond and created brochures about postpartum depression in seven languages for distribution to patients state-wide.

H.B. 4052, Uniform Maternal Screening Bill; introduced on January 30, 2008 would require that women upon entering prenatal care would undergo the prenatal risk screening instrument (one page) regardless of income or insurance status. Actual bill language: AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-4E-1, §16-4E-2, §16-4E-3, §16-4E-4, §16-4E-5 and §16-4E-6, all relating to development of a maternal risk assessment advisory council; providing for legislative findings; setting forth responsibilities of the advisory council; providing for legislative rule-making authority within the Department of Health and Human Resources to develop a uniform maternal risk screening tool; providing for applicability of the screening tool once developed; and providing confidentiality of the tool. Status: Passed April 6, 2009(SB307); Maternal Risk Screening Advisory created