CA Policy

California Maternal Mental Health
2020 Mom calls California home, which is why we have rolled up our sleeves to convene leaders, inspire funders and sponsor state legislation to address California Maternal Mental Health head-on.

Our work leading the way in California has helped position us to support other states in their missions to close gaps, and to drive national policy change.
Read about how we are leading and supporting work outside of California here.

Read about our current and past work in California Maternal Mental Health below.

To learn about the California Maternal Mental Health legislation we are sponsoring and supporting in 2021 click here.

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2020 Mom-sponsored Maternal Mental Health legislation signed into law in prior years:

CALIFORNIA JUST SIGNED ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE MATERNAL MENTAL HEATH BILL PACKAGES INTO LAW. –JOY BURKHARD, 2020 MOM FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
 

AB 1893 (2018): Maternal Mental Health Federal Funding – Brian Maienschein (R)
Was signed by the governor on July 20, 2018 and required the state Department of Public Health to apply for federal funding provided through the Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act (part of the 21st Century Cures Act) for development of MMH programs which could include a public awareness campaign.

AB 2193 (2018): Maternal Mental Health Screening and Insurer Support - Brian Maienschein (R)
Effective July 1, 2019, this bill requires obstetric providers to offer screening or screen women directly for maternal mental health disorders at least once during pregnancy or the postpartum period; and requires both private and MediCal (Medicaid) health care service plans to develop maternal mental health programs designed to promote quality and cost-effective outcomes.

AB 3032 (2018): Maternal Mental Health Conditions Education, Early Diagnosis, and Treatment Act (Focusing on Hospital Programs) - Jim Frazier (D)
Effective January 1, 2020, this bill requires hospitals to develop and implement programs to provide training about maternal mental health conditions to maternity and newborn care unit clinical staff and provide education and information to postpartum women and families about maternal mental health conditions and local treatment options.

AB 845 (2019): Optional Continuing Education: Physicians and Surgeons: Maternal Mental Health - Brian Maienschein (R)
This bill requires the Medical Board of California, to consider providing education regarding maternal mental health, to Medical Doctors licensed in the state.

ACR 180 (2018): MMH Awareness Month - Marie Waldron (D)
Declares May 2018 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month (which was an opportunity to raise awareness among assembly members prior to the floor vote of the three other MMH bills).

California Maternal Mental Health Laws Resources For Obs, Moms/Families and Hospitals View

California’s MMH Task Force Report and Follow-Up Report

For the background research that supports these policies, please see the following reports:

California Task Force on the Status of Maternal Mental Health Care Report (April 2017)
 
Maternal Mental Health: State of the State in California and Beyond Task Force Report (December 2019)
 

More CA History Regarding MMH Policy