HF2911 Summary

• Expands medical assistance eligibility for pregnant women and infants by extending the postpartum period from 60 days to two years, effective July 1, 2012 or upon federal approval.

• Requires development of maternal depression screening and referral practices, practice standards, and outreach materials through collaboration between health departments, human services, WIC programs, and mental health providers.

• Adds parenting skills training to adult rehabilitative mental health services and requires family home visiting programs to screen primary caregivers for depression or serious mental illness.

• Authorizes health licensing boards to require continuing education on parental depression screening and identification for professionals serving caregivers and children.

• Allows families with a parent diagnosed with mental illness to retain child care assistance for up to 12 months while seeking treatment, and establishes task force to review state programs supporting low-income families.