HB 42

Abstract

Health care providers; screening of patients for prenatal and postpartum depression; training. Directs the Board of Medicine to annually issue a communication to every practitioner licensed by the Board who provides primary, maternity, obstetrical, or gynecological health care services reiterating the standard of care pertaining to prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression and encouraging practitioners to screen every patient who is pregnant or who has been pregnant within the previous five years for prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, as clinically appropriate. The bill requires the Board to include in such communication information about the factors that may increase susceptibility of certain patients to prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, including racial and economic disparities, and to encourage providers to remain cognizant of the increased risk of depression for such patients.

Health care providers; screening of patients for prenatal and postpartum depression; training. Directs the Board of Medicine to annually issue a communication to every practitioner licensed by the Board who provides primary, maternity, obstetrical, or gynecological health care services reiterating the standard of care pertaining to prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression and encouraging practitioners to screen every patient who is pregnant or who has been pregnant within the previous five years for prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, as clinically appropriate. The bill requires the Board to include in such communication information about the factors that may increase susceptibility of certain patients to prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, including racial and economic disparities, and to encourage providers to remain cognizant of the increased risk of depression for such patients.

Health care providers; screening of patientsfor prenatal and postpartum depression; training. Directs theBoards of Medicine and Nursing to adopt regulations requiring licenseeswho provide primary, maternity, obstetrical, or gynecological healthcare services to complete a training program on prenatal and postnatal depression in women. Such training program shall include informationon risk factors for and signs and symptoms of prenatal and postnatal depression, resources for the treatment and management of prenataland postnatal depression, and steps the practitioner can take tolink patients to such resources. The bill also requires the Boardof Medicine to adopt regulations requiring licensees who provide primary,maternity, obstetrical, or gynecological health care services toscreen all patients who are pregnant or who have been pregnant withinthe previous five years for prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, as appropriate.