CT Policy

HB 7214 (2025): Directs the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to study and provide recommendations on improving perinatal mental health services and increasing doula integration in Connecticut hospitals. The committee will examine evidence-based treatment practices and workforce development initiatives, specifically focusing on the use of peer support specialists and community health workers to expand access and eliminate barriers to care for at-risk populations. The committee will also examine models for private and public funding of perinatal mental health care initiatives and financial models for reimbursement for doula services, including, but not limited to, Medicaid and private insurance. The committee, comprised of diverse healthcare professionals and those with lived experience, must submit an initial report by February 1, 2026, and a final report by January 1, 2027, to the General Assembly.

H.B. 6835 (2023) proclaims the month of May each year to be Maternal Mental Health Month and May fifth of each year to be Maternal Mental Health Day to raise awareness of issues surrounding maternal mental health.

HB 5500(2022): Required the state’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee to develop educational materials regarding (1) the health and safety of pregnant and postpartum persons with mental health disorders, including, but not limited to, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, for distribution by the Department of Public Health to each birthing hospital in the state (2) Evidence-based screening tools for screening patients for intimate partner violence, peripartum mood disorders and substance use disorder for distribution by the Department of Public Health to obstetricians and other health care providers who practice obstetrics.

Required birthing hospitals provide each postpartum patient with the educational materials about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders developed by the maternal mortality review committee.

The bill also called on the Governor to proclaim the month of May of each year as Maternal Mental Health Month and May 5th of each year Maternal Mental Health Day.