Bill > S1261

This bill aims to expand equitable perinatal (relating to the period from pregnancy up to one year after birth) mental health services. Key provisions include: 1. Establishing a grant program to grow and diversify the perinatal mental and behavioral health care workforce, with a focus on recruiting from medically underserved populations and health professional shortage areas. 2. Creating a separate grant program for eligible entities (such as community organizations, maternity care providers, and public health agencies) to address mental health conditions and substance use disorders in perinatal individuals, particularly in areas with high rates of adverse perinatal health outcomes or significant racial/ethnic disparities. 3. Requiring grantees to use funds for activities like integrating perinatal mental health services into primary care settings, expanding group prenatal and postpartum care programs, addressing stigma, and providing education and training for maternity care providers on identifying and referring patients with mental health or substance use issues. 4. Directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance, evaluate the effectiveness of the grant programs, and make recommendations to expand coverage of evidence-based screenings and treatments for perinatal mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1261