The bill, known as Chapter 313 of the Acts of 2010, mandates the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish regulations requiring healthcare providers and carriers to submit annual data on postpartum depression (PPD) screening. This legislation addresses the prevalence of PPD, which affects approximately one in seven birthing individuals, by developing effective screening standards, promoting awareness, and providing annual summaries of screening activities. Recent updates to the bill include the use of inclusive language to recognize diverse family structures and the introduction of initiatives aimed at improving maternal mental health, such as the establishment of a Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health.

The bill also updates existing regulations regarding PPD screening, requiring providers to report screening data to the DPH through annual reports or healthcare coding systems. New provisions include a dedicated DPH web page for data submission and the integration of the All Payer Claims Database for enhanced data analysis. Additionally, the bill outlines the Welcome Family program, which offers free home visits to families with newborns in select Massachusetts communities, focusing on key areas such as parental emotional health and nutrition. Overall, the bill aims to improve the identification and treatment of PPD, thereby enhancing maternal and child health outcomes in the Commonwealth.