DE SB106

Replace references to "maternal depression" with "perinatal mood and anxiety disorder" throughout Title 16, Chapter 8D to provide a more comprehensive definition that includes a wider range of emotional and psychological reactions during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Expand the definition of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder to include symptoms such as despair, extreme guilt, prolonged sadness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, extreme changes in appetite, and thoughts of suicide or harming the baby.

Require the Department to develop written materials and information about perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, including symptoms, coping methods, and treatment resources for distribution by maternal health-care providers and hospitals.

Require maternal health-care providers and hospitals to provide educational materials to any person presenting with signs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder and encourage them to share information with family members and caregivers.

Require maternal health-care providers to evaluate and take action when recognizing symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, including situations where child care suffers, using gender-neutral language to encompass all caregivers affected by the condition.