House Bill 960 aims to enhance maternal mental health education for medical professionals in Tennessee by mandating the development of optional courses on the subject. The bill amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to require the boards of medical examiners, osteopathic examination, and psychology to create and offer courses that cover best practices in screening for maternal mental health disorders, the range of such disorders, evidence-based treatment options, and guidelines for when to consult a psychiatrist. Each board is also tasked with periodically updating the curriculum to reflect new research and will accept course completion as credit toward continuing education requirements for relevant specialties, including pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, and psychology.

The bill includes specific provisions for each medical board, ensuring that the courses are tailored to the needs of different specialties. For instance, the board of medical examiners and the board of osteopathic examination will focus on obstetricians and primary care physicians, while the psychology board will cater to psychologists and psychological examiners. This legislative effort underscores the importance of maternal mental health and aims to equip healthcare providers with the necessary knowledge and skills to support mothers effectively. The act will take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the urgency of addressing maternal mental health issues.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-6-233, 63-9-107(a), 63-9-107, 63-11-104(h), 63-11-104