2020 Maryland Statutes
Health - General
Title 20 - Miscellaneous Health Provisions
Subtitle 18 - Maternal Mental Health
Section 20-1801 - Identification and Dissemination of Information About Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

        (2)    (i)    “Health care facility” means a facility or an office where health or medical care is provided to patients by a health care provider.

            (ii)    “Health care facility” includes a hospital and a limited service hospital.

        (3)    “Health care provider” means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under the Health Occupations Article to provide health or medical care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.

        (4)    “Hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of this article.

        (5)    “Limited service hospital” has the meaning stated in § 19–301 of this article.

    (b)    The Department, in consultation with stakeholders, shall identify up–to–date, evidence–based, written information about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that:

        (1)    Has been reviewed by medical experts and national and local organizations specializing in maternal mental health;

        (2)    Is designed for use by health care providers and pregnant and postpartum women and their families;

        (3)    Is culturally and linguistically appropriate for potential recipients of the information; and

        (4)    Includes:

            (i)    Information addressing:

                1.    The signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;

                2.    Perinatal medication usage;

                3.    Risk factors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including perinatal loss and high–risk pregnancy;

                4.    How and when to screen for symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;

                5.    Brief intervention strategies; and

                6.    Evidence–based psychosocial treatments; and

            (ii)    Contact information for national and local maternal mental health programs and services.

    (c)    The Department shall:

        (1)    Provide the information identified by the Department under subsection (b) of this section to health care facilities and health care providers that provide prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postnatal care to expectant parents; and

        (2)    Make the information identified by the Department under subsection (b) of this section available on the Department’s website.