Mass. General Laws c.111 § 247

Postnatal individuals; screening for postpartum depression or major depressive disorders

This is an unofficial version of a Massachusetts General Law. For more information on this topic, please see: Law about health care and Law about mental health issues.

Updates

Added by St. 2024, c. 186, § 21, effective November 21, 2024

(a)

For the purposes of this section, “postnatal individual” shall refer to an individual who: (i) is within 12 months of giving birth; (ii) is a biological parent or an adoptive or foster parent that is within 12 months from assuming custodial care of a child; or (iii) has lost a pregnancy due to a stillbirth, miscarriage or a medical termination within the previous 12 months.

(b)

Every postnatal individual who receives health care services from a primary care provider, obstetrician, gynecologist, certified nurse-midwife or licensed certified professional midwife shall be offered a screening for postpartum depression or major depressive disorder and, if the postnatal individual does not object to such screening, such primary care provider, certified nurse-midwife or licensed certified professional midwife shall ensure that the postnatal individual is appropriately screened for postpartum depression or major depressive disorder in line with evidence-based guidelines.

(c)

Every postnatal individual whose infant receives health care services from a pediatrician shall be offered a screening for postpartum depression or major depressive disorder by the infant’s pediatrician, and, if the postnatal individual does not object to such screening, such pediatrician shall ensure that the postnatal individual is appropriately screened for postpartum depression or major depressive disorder in accordance with evidence-based guidelines.

(d)

If a health care professional administering a screening in accordance with this section determines, based on the screening methodology administered, that the postnatal individual is likely to be suffering from postpartum depression or major depressive disorder, such health care professional shall discuss available treatments for postpartum depression or major depressive disorder, including pharmacological treatments, and provide an appropriate referral to a mental health clinician.

Last updated:	August 23, 2024