This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to enhance public education and screening for perinatal anxiety, a condition affecting women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It 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 care. Additionally, birthing facilities must inform new parents about perinatal anxiety before discharge. The bill emphasizes the importance of including family members in the 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 about perinatal anxiety, its symptoms, coping methods, and treatment options, contingent upon sufficient funding. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with developing policies and procedures to implement these requirements and is authorized to adopt necessary rules and regulations. The screening for perinatal anxiety may utilize the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or other approved methods. This initiative aims to improve recognition and treatment of perinatal anxiety, ultimately benefiting mothers and their families.