IL Policy

For the 15th year the Governor's office has proclaimed May as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Illinois! This year Diana Rauner, IL's First Lady with the non-profit the Ounce of Prevention, has also become involved.

Legislative efforts are being coordinated by the PPD Alliance of IL.

The proclamation can be downloaded from this page http://www.ppdil.org/legislation/ppmd-awareness-month/. 

Maternal Mental Health Legislation

2019 | 101st General Assembly

HB2438 Requires that mental health conditions occurring during pregnancy or during the postpartum period, including postpartum depression, be covered by insurers, and that licensed physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician's assistants who provide prenatal and postpartum care for a patient ensure that the mother is offered screening or is appropriately screened for mental health conditions.

HB 3511 Establishes the Maternal Mental Health Conditions, Education, Early Diagnosis, and Treatment Act and requires the department of human services to develop educational materials for health care professionals and patients about maternal mental health conditions and requiring birthing hospitals to supplement the materials with relevant resources to the region or community in which they are located.

Psychosis As Mitigating Factor in Sentencing

Public Act 100-0574 Allows postpartum illnesses like depression and psychosis to be mitigating factors in sentencing. That means mothers who are serving sentences for child neglect or infanticide may apply for a new sentencing hearing if they are serving more than the minimum sentence. Mothers who can prove they suffered from postpartum mental illness when they committed these crimes can reduce their sentencing.