Bill > S1411

This bill establishes a Perinatal Behavioral Health Care Workforce Trust Fund administered by the secretary of health and human services to address workforce shortages in perinatal mental and behavioral health care. The bill defines key terms such as "perinatal individual" (pregnant or within 12 months of giving birth or child placement) and "medically underserved populations" (areas with few healthcare providers, high infant mortality, poverty, or large elderly populations). The trust fund will provide grants to entities to create or expand educational and training programs aimed at growing and diversifying the perinatal behavioral health workforce. Grant recipients must prioritize programs serving medically underserved populations or areas with significant racial, ethnic, or geographic disparities in perinatal health outcomes. The secretary is required to produce an annual public report detailing grant awards, recipient characteristics, program participant demographics, and the impact of the grants on healthcare workforce shortages and sustainability. The bill aims to address gaps in mental health and behavioral health support for individuals during the perinatal period, with a specific focus on improving access and equity in healthcare services.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1411