Bill > H1828

This bill aims to improve the mental well-being of new mothers facing criminal charges. The key provisions are: 1. Requiring a screening for perinatal psychiatric complications (such as postpartum psychosis or depression) for female defendants who gave birth within 12 months prior to the crime they are charged with. 2. Mandating that any examinations of these female defendants be conducted by an expert in reproductive psychiatry within 48 hours of the court order. 3. Ensuring that any persons committed due to mental illness related to perinatal complications receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from an expert in reproductive psychiatry, along with access to additional services like parenting assessment and therapy. 4. Defining "postpartum psychosis" and "postpartum depression" to provide context on the mental health conditions this bill aims to address. 5. Establishing a process for outpatient treatment and supervision of certain committed individuals, with specific requirements for cases involving perinatal psychiatric complications. The overall goal is to ensure appropriate mental health support and evaluation for new mothers facing criminal charges, in recognition of the potential impact of postpartum mental health issues on their behavior and circumstances.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1828