This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to enhance public awareness and establish policies regarding perinatal anxiety, a condition affecting women during pregnancy and the year following childbirth. The legislation requires healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurse midwives, to provide comprehensive information about perinatal anxiety to patients and their families, screen for the disorder at least once per trimester during pregnancy, and again during postnatal check-ups. Additionally, birthing facilities must inform new parents about perinatal anxiety before discharge. The bill emphasizes the importance of including family members in education and treatment processes to better support the mother.

Furthermore, the bill calls for the establishment of a public awareness campaign to educate the general public on perinatal anxiety, its symptoms, coping methods, and treatment options. Screening for perinatal anxiety will utilize the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or another approved method. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with adopting necessary rules and regulations to implement these provisions effectively. Overall, the bill aims to improve recognition, treatment, and support for women experiencing perinatal anxiety, thereby addressing a significant yet often overlooked mental health issue.