Bill > HB417

This bill amends the existing Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) Program in Kentucky to expand its educational components by explicitly requiring the inclusion of information about maternal and postpartum depression. Specifically, the bill adds two new provisions to the program's goals and educational requirements: first, in Section 1(1), it adds "Provide information about maternal and postpartum depression" as a fifth goal of the HANDS Program, and second, in Section 1(3), it includes "The recognition and treatment of maternal and postpartum depression" as a fourth educational component. The HANDS Program is a voluntary statewide home visitation program designed to assist at-risk parents from the prenatal period until their child's third birthday, with goals of promoting safe and healthy child development, providing parenting information, and supporting family self-sufficiency. The bill also makes minor technical corrections to the existing language, such as removing unnecessary bracketed text. The amendment aims to enhance the program's support for parents by increasing awareness and understanding of maternal mental health challenges.

Health and Social Services

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb417.html