Senate Bill No. 42, introduced by Senator Selders, aims to enhance access to perinatal behavioral health treatment by mandating that both commercial insurance plans and Medicaid managed care organizations provide coverage for voluntary inpatient treatment following a perinatal psychiatric diagnosis. The bill specifies that covered services include inpatient admissions, overnight stays, medications, infusions, prescriptions, and counseling. It also establishes that all decisions regarding such treatment must be made by an attending physician in consultation with the patient, ensuring that these treatments are recognized as medically necessary and cannot be denied if deemed necessary by a physician.

The bill introduces new legal language under R.S. 22:1077.4 and R.S. 46:447.4, defining key terms such as "health benefit plan," "health insurance issuer," and "perinatal psychiatric diagnosis." It emphasizes the importance of mental health support for individuals during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum, including after a pregnancy loss. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on August 1, 2025, reinforcing the commitment to improving maternal mental health care in Louisiana.