Bill > SB246

This bill, known as the "New Hampshire Momnibus 2.0," addresses several critical maternal health issues in New Hampshire. The legislation mandates comprehensive maternal depression screening for new mothers through Medicaid and private health insurance, covering screenings during well-child visits and providing coverage for screenings up to 12 months after giving birth. The bill appropriates $275,000 to establish a perinatal psychiatric provider consult line and $75,000 for rural maternal health emergency medical services. It also allocates $30,000 to study barriers facing independent birth centers. The bill requires health insurance carriers to cover perinatal home visiting services and mental health treatments for new parents. Additionally, it expands employee protections by allowing parents who work for companies with 20 or more employees to take up to 25 hours of unpaid leave to attend medical appointments for themselves or their infants within the first year after birth or adoption. The legislation is motivated by alarming statistics, including that 76.1 percent of New Hampshire pregnancy-related deaths were preventable and 53 percent of such deaths occurred between one day and one year postpartum. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for a perinatal peer support certification program, with a report due by November 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=962&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB246