VA Policy

H.B. 2446(2025): Directs the Department of Health to establish a public awareness campaign, develop and distribute educational materials, and create an online resource hub focused on perinatal and postpartum depression. The bill requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the implementation of the bill, with the first annual report due by December 31, 2026.

H.B. 2109(2025): Re-establishes the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures. The Task force is responsible for improving maternal care and outcomes through data related to maternal care and health benefits and the impact of social determinants of health. Additionally, the Task Force shall monitor and evaluate data from new Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measure updates to Postpartum Depression Screening and Follow-up Care.

S.J. 23 / H.J. 44: Designates April 11-17, 2024, and in each succeeding year thereafter Black Maternal Health Week. Highlights that maternal mental health has been listed by the CDC as a leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related death, and even with growing concern about improving access to mental health services, Black birthing people are least likely to have access to mental health screenings, treatment, and support before, during, and after pregnancy.

HB 2111 (2021): Established a task force on maternal health data and quality measures to evaluate maternal health data collection and guide policies to improve maternal care and outcomes. This bill requires the task force to report its findings and conclusions annually by December 1st.

HB 2613 (2019): Adds information about perinatal anxiety to the types of information licensed providers providing maternity care must provide to each patient, which includes postpartum blues and perinatal depression.

VA Code § 32.1-134.01 (2003): Required all maternity care staff to provide information about perinatal depression to new families.