The bill, introduced by Senator Alvarado, aims to enhance maternal health support by mandating coverage for maternal depression screenings under Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Program. Specifically, it amends Section 62.1511(b) of the Health and Safety Code and Section 32.0561(b) of the Human Resources Code to include provisions for "up to four maternal depression screenings" for the mothers of enrollees and recipients, respectively. These screenings are to be conducted during covered well-child or other office visits that occur before the child's first birthday, regardless of whether the mother is also enrolled in the program.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision that allows state agencies to delay the implementation of any part of the Act if a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is required. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, ensuring that maternal mental health is prioritized in early childhood healthcare services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 62.1511, Human Resources Code 32.0561 (Health and Safety Code 62, Human Resources Code 32)