Downloads
CS/CS/HB 937 — Perinatal Mental Health
by Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee; Health Innovation Subcommittee; and Rep. Nunez and others (CS/SB 138 by Appropriations Committee; and Senators Book, Hutson, Perry, and Young)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill creates the Florida Families First Act, which requires the Department of Health (department), by January 1, 2019, to provide perinatal mental health information through its toll-free hot line, the Family Health Line. The bill requires the hotline to provide basic information on postpartum depression, and may:
- Recommend that a caller be further evaluated by a qualified health care provider; and
- Refer a caller to an appropriate health care provider in the caller's local area.
The bill expands the components of a birth center’s postpartum evaluation and follow-up care, to include:
- A mental health screening;
- Information on postpartum depression; and
- The telephone number of the Family Health Line.
The bill appropriates $104,320 recurring General Revenue funds and $21,600 nonrecurring General Revenue funds to the department to implement the provisions in the bill.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2018.
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 113-0