By: Huffman S.B. No. 1699
(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2015; March 23, 2015, read
first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
April 16, 2015, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9,
Nays 0; April 16, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of May as Postpartum Depression
Awareness Month.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 662, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 662.110 to read as follows:
Sec. 662.110. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AWARENESS MONTH.
(a) May is Postpartum Depression Awareness Month to increase
awareness of postpartum depression and to encourage:
(1) the identification of signs, symptoms, and
treatment options for postpartum depression;
(2) the creation and update of lists of recommended
materials for perinatal mental health available through the
Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human
Services Commission;
(3) electronic circulation of and posting on state and
local agency websites of recommended postpartum depression
resources;
(4) mothers-to-be and new mothers to be screened for
postpartum depression using validated survey instruments; and
(5) collaboration between governmental agencies,
educational institutions, hospitals, private health care
practices, health insurance providers, Medicaid providers, and
mental health agencies to increase awareness of postpartum
affective illness.
(b) Postpartum Depression Awareness Month shall be
regularly observed through appropriate programs and activities to
increase awareness of postpartum depression.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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