ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: HHS DP 8-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 30-0-0-0

                                                           House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 58-1-1-0

SB 1011: maternal mental health; advisory committee.

Sponsor:  Senator Mesnard, LD 17

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Establishes the Maternal Mental Health Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to recommend improvements for screening and treating maternal mental health disorders.

History

In 2017, the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in a surveillance project known as the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). PRAMS collects state-specific data on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during and after pregnancy. The CDC has found that about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression nationally. This estimate varies by state and can be as high as 1 in 5 women (CDC). 

In Arizona, about 1 in 30 new mothers are surveyed by PRAMS in an attempt to better understand pregnancy risks and improve the chances for future mothers and babies (DHS).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteEstablishes the Advisory Committee to recommend improvements for screening and treating maternal mental health disorders. (Sec. 1)

2.   Requires the Director (Director) of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or the Director’s designee to serve as chairperson of the Advisory Committee. (Sec. 1)

3.   Instructs the Director to appoint the following members of the Advisory Committee:

a)   A representative of a contractor from each geographic service area designated by AHCCCS;

b)   A representative of the Indian Health Services;

c)   A representative from an organization that provides direct peer support to families and training to professionals regarding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;

d)   A representative from a local organization that specializes in diagnosing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;

e)   Two licensed obstetricians, one being a maternal fetal medicine specialist;

f) Two licensed pediatricians, one being a neonatologist;

g)   A licensed psychiatrist;

h)   A licensed neonatal nurse;

i)   A certified nurse midwife;

j)   A licensed and certified mental health nurse practitioner;

k)   A hospital social worker who works with obstetric patients;

l)   A representative from an Arizona law enforcement agency;

m) A representative from an Arizona correctional facility;

n)   Two representatives from nonprofit organizations that provide education, services or research to maternal mental health;

o)   Two representatives from organizations that represent Arizona hospitals;

p)   A representative from the DHS Maternal Health Program; and

q)   A representative of a health care insurer. (Sec. 1)

4.   Directs the Advisory Committee to submit, by December 31, 2022, a report with recommendations concerning improvements for screening and treating maternal mental health disorders to the Chairpersons of the Health and Human Services Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, or their successor committee, and provide a copy to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)

5.   Repeals the Advisory Committee on July 1, 2023. (Sec. 1)

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9.                     SB 1011

10.  Initials EB/SF        Page 0 Transmitted

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