TITLE: Relating to a strategic plan to address postpartum depression.

SUMMARY: Relating to a strategic plan to address postpartum depression.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a strategic plan to address postpartum depression. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 32.046 to read as follows: Sec. 32.046. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) In this section, "postpartum depression" means a disorder with postpartum onset that is categorized as a mood disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), or a subsequent edition adopted by rule by the executive commissioner. (b) The executive commissioner shall develop and the department shall implement a five-year strategic plan to improve access to postpartum depression screening, referral, treatment, and support services. Not later than September 1 of the last fiscal year in each five-year period, the executive commissioner shall develop a new strategic plan for the next five fiscal years beginning with the following fiscal year. (c) The strategic plan required under this section must provide strategies to: (1) increase awareness among state-administered program providers who may serve women who are at risk of or are experiencing postpartum depression about the prevalence and effects of postpartum depression on outcomes for women and children; (2) establish a referral network of community-based mental health providers and support services addressing postpartum depression; (3) increase women's access to formal and informal peer support services, including access to certified peer specialists who have received additional training related to postpartum depression; (4) raise public awareness of and reduce the stigma related to postpartum depression; and (5) leverage sources of funding to support existing community-based postpartum depression screening, referral, treatment, and support services. (d) The executive commissioner shall coordinate with the statewide health coordinating council, the office of mental health coordination, and the statewide behavioral health coordinating council in developing the strategic plan under this section. (e) The executive commissioner shall update annually the strategic plan developed under this section. SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2018, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall develop the initial strategic plan required by Section 32.046, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.