Section 111:246 - Digital resource center on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "Perinatal individual", an individual that:
(i) is either pregnant or is within 12 months from the date of giving birth; (ii) is a biological parent or an adoptive or foster parent who is within 12 months from assuming custodial care of a child; or (iii) has lost a pregnancy due to a stillbirth, miscarriage or a medical termination within the previous 12 months."Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders", a mental health disorder experienced by an individual during the period of time from the beginning of pregnancy up until 12 months following the birth of a child or after the end of pregnancy, including, but not limited to, postpartum depression, or major depressive disorder associated with:
(i) the care of a child experienced by a biological parent or an adoptive or foster parent who is within 12 months from assuming custodial care of a child; or (ii) pregnancy loss experienced by an individual who has lost a pregnancy due to a stillbirth, miscarriage or a medical termination within the previous 12 months.(b) The department shall develop and maintain a comprehensive digital resource center on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The digital resource center shall be available to the public at no cost on the department's website, and shall include information and resources for: (i) health care providers and organizations serving perinatal individuals to aid them in diagnosing, treating or making appropriate referrals for individuals experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; (ii) perinatal individuals and their families to aid them in understanding and identifying perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and how to navigate available resources and obtain treatment.(c) Prior to developing the comprehensive digital resource center, the department shall consult with: (i) health care professionals, including, but not limited to, obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, primary care providers, certified nurse-midwives, licensed certified professional midwives, psychiatrists, and other mental health clinicians; (ii) organizations serving perinatal individuals; and (iii) health insurance carriers.(d) The department shall develop and implement a public information campaign to promote awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, which shall promote the digital resource center developed pursuant to this section.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111, § 111:246
Added by Acts 2024, c. 186,§ 21, eff. 11/21/2024.