Delaware General Assembly

Signed 6/30/16

The General Assembly has ended, the current status is the final status.

6/2/16

Hall-Long

Sen. Blevins
Reps. Longhurst, Lynn, Heffernan

Sen. Cloutier, Ennis, Henry, Lavelle, Peterson, Poore, Townsend
Reps. Baumbach, Bennett, Bolden, Briggs King, Jaques, Keeley, Kowalko, Mitchell, Osienski, Paradee, M. Smith, K. Williams, Wilson

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH.

After the delivery of a child, major mental and public health issues which need to be addressed may arise, including the occurrence of postpartum depression or feelings of depression, anger, anxiety, and guilt. This presents problems not only for the mother, but also for the child, because the mental health of a mother of a young child affects the child’s physical and emotional development. The development of strategies and distribution of materials and information are crucial to help combat the lack of awareness and education regarding maternal depression. This Act requires the Department of Health and Social Services to make available current information to health care providers regarding the signs and symptoms of maternal depression, screening tools, and available community resources. This Act also requires that health care providers and facilities provide the maternal depression information to women who present with signs of maternal depression, and to encourage the women to share that information with their family members or caregivers, and the family members and caregivers of the baby. Author: Sen. Hall-Long

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Takes effect upon being signed into law

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