An Act Concerning Postpartum Mental Health Education
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0792
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: SULLIVAN, PENDLETON, BOWMAN, EDMONDS, HAYES, PERRY, SUTHERLAND, TRINW ARD
Amends: 22 MRSA §262

Legislative Document 
No. 792 
S.P.241 
February 15,2007 
An Act Concerning Postpartum Mental Health Education 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator SULLIVAN of York. 
Cosponsored by Representative PENDLETON of Scarborough and 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: BOWMAN of York, President EDMONDS of Cumberland. MARRACHE of 
Kennebec, Representatives: HAYES of Buckfield, PERRY of Calais. PRATT of Eddington, 
SUTHERLAND of Chapman, TRINW ARD of Waterville. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §262 is enacted to read: 
§262. Prenatal and postpartum mental health 
The commissioner, in conjunction with the Board of Licensure in Medicine, the State 
Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the State Board of Nursing, shall work with 
health care facilities and health care practitioners, as defined in section 1711-C, 
subsection I, to develop policies and procedures to achieve the requirements of this 
section concerning prenatal and postpartum mental health in order to improve the mental 
health of pregnant women and mothers of children up to one year of age. 
1. 
Prenatal education and screening. 
Health care practitioners who provide 
I I 
prenatal care to women shall provide education to pregnant women about prenatal and 
postpartum mental health and shall screen each woman to identify current mental health 
issues or risk factors for possible prenatal and postpartum mental health issues. 
2. Postpartum education and screening. Health care practitioners who provide 
postpartum care to women and well baby care to infants shall provide education on and 
screen mothers for postpartum mental health issues as set out in this subsection. 
A. Health care practitioners in facilities in which babies are born shall: 
(1) Prior to her discharge from the facility, screen the mother for postpartum 
mental health issues; and 
., :.~... .. 
(2) 
At the time of her discharge from the facility, provide to the mother 
comprehensive information about postpartum mental health issues, including 
symptoms, methods of coping with postpartum mental health issues and 
treatment resources ... 
B. Health care practitioners wbo provide postpartum care to women shall screen a 
mother for postpartum mental health issues at the first office visit after delivery ofthe 
baby.! 
. 
C. Health care practitioners who provide well baby care for infants shall screen the 
mother for postpartum mental health issues at every well baby check for the first 
year. 
3. Inclusion. Health care practitioners providing education and screening under this 
section shall, with regard to prenatal and postpartum mental health, include the partner, 
spouse or father and other family members, as appropriate, in education and the treatment 
process in order to increase their understanding and improve the course of treatment for 
the mother. 
SUMMARY 
This bill will provide information on and screening for prenatal and postpartum 
mental health issues to pregnant women and mothers of children under one year of age 
and information to the partners, spouses or fathers and family members, as appropriate. 
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