BILL NUMBER: AB 159	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nava

                        JANUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 123612 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to perinatal health care, and making an appropriation
therefor.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 159, as introduced, Nava. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders:
task force.
   Existing law establishes various programs relating to perinatal
health, including a comprehensive perinatal outreach program
targeting the health effects of drugs and alcohol, the development of
regionalized perinatal health systems, and the development of a
model needs assessment protocol for pregnant and postpartum substance
abusing women.
   This bill would permit the State Department of Public Health to
establish a task force, as prescribed, to address specified issues
relating to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
   This bill would permit the State Department of Public Health to
use nonpublic contributions to carry out the purposes of this bill.
This bill would, if the department creates the task force, create the
California Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Awareness Fund and
permit voluntary contributions to be deposited into the fund. This
bill would continuously appropriate the money in the fund to the
department to carry out the purposes of this bill.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders occur during both
pregnancy and the postpartum period. These disorders can take many
forms, including depression, psychosis, and anxiety disorders, such
as panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. These disorders
can also include many levels of severity, which can have potentially
serious repercussions for the emotional, social, and physical health
and well-being of mothers, children, and families. Therefore,
"perinatal mood and anxiety disorder" (PMAD) is a more appropriate
term for describing these afflictions because it provides a broader
and more accurate description of the afflictions.
   (b) National studies indicate that one in eight women suffer from
PMAD. Eighty percent of these women go undiagnosed and untreated.
   (c) Between 10 percent and 20 percent of new mothers are affected
with PMAD. A mother afflicted with PMAD may experience symptoms, that
include, but are not limited to, depressed mood, inability to find
pleasure in activities that are usually engaging, sleep disturbances,
diminished concentration, appetite and weight loss, anxiety and
panic attacks, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, suicidal
thoughts, and fears about harming her baby.
   (d) One to two out of every 1,000 new mothers can experience
postpartum psychosis. A new mother with postpartum psychosis may
begin with symptoms that include, but are not limited to, manic
states, hyperactivity, an inability to sleep, and avoidance of the
baby. The disorder can then lead to additional symptoms for the new
mother, that include, but are not limited to, delusions,
hallucinations, incoherence, and thoughts of harming her baby or
herself.
   (e) A past history of nonpostpartum mood or anxiety disorders and
a family history of mood or anxiety disorders increases the risk of
PMAD.
   (f) Many women are not adequately informed about, screened for, or
treated for PMAD because they are uninsured, underinsured, or lack
access to comprehensive health care. Many of these women also face
cultural and linguistic barriers to receiving appropriate care. The
stigma associated with PMAD also prevents many at-risk women from
accepting the need for services and treatment for their disorder.
These services and treatment can include medical evaluations and
treatment, professional therapy, counseling, support groups, and
crisis hotlines. It is also imperative that family and friends of a
pregnant woman or new mother become aware of the signs and symptoms
of PMAD so that they may help the pregnant woman or new mother obtain
adequate medical treatment and support services.
  SEC. 2.  Section 123612 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   123612.  (a) For purposes of this section, "PMAD" means perinatal
mood and anxiety disorders.
   (b) The State Department of Public Health may establish and
convene a statewide perinatal mood and anxiety disorders task force
to develop a best practices model for public awareness of PMAD and a
standard of care for PMAD that may be used by physicians, medical
centers, hospitals, and other organizations related to the medical
field.
   (c) If the department creates the task force, pursuant to
subdivision (b), all of the following provisions shall apply:
   (1) The task force membership shall consist of both of the
following:
   (A) A survivor of PMAD.
   (B) A representative from each of the following:
   (i) The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
   (ii) The California Association of Nurse Practitioners.
   (iii) The California Hospital Association.
   (iv) The California Medical Association.
   (v) The California Nurse Midwives Association.
   (vi) The California Nurses Association.
   (vii) The California Psychiatric Association.
   (viii) The State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of
California.
   (ix) Postpartum Support International.
   (2) The task force may do all of the following:
   (A) Provide awareness, assistance, and information regarding PMAD.
The task force may disseminate to pregnant women and new mothers and
the families of these women information regarding the availability
of services and treatment for PMAD, including, but not limited to,
medication, professional therapy and counseling, support groups, and
telephone crisis hotlines. The task force may use television, print
media, radio, Internet Web sites, outdoor advertising, and other
appropriate media to accomplish these goals.
   (B) Establish a publicly accessible Internet Web site that
provides information about the symptoms and treatment of PMAD.
   (C) Undertake public education activities related to PMAD, as
appropriate.
   (D) Establish a recommended standard of care for pregnant women
and new mothers and the families of these women. This standard of
care may include promoting universal depression screening, increasing
women's access to mental health services, increasing education and
training for prenatal care providers and mental health providers, and
increasing perinatal mental health resources.
   (3) The department shall be responsible for forwarding any
recommendations of the task force to the Legislature, the Governor,
and to all county health departments.
   (4) The department may use only nonpublic funding sources to
support the activities of the task force. Voluntary contributions
received for the purposes of this section shall be deposited into a
separate account, the California Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Awareness Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Any
repayments, interest, or new appropriation shall be deposited in the
fund, notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code.
   (d) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all
moneys in the fund shall be continuously appropriated to the
department to carry out the purposes of this section.