SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2250

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 5, 2026

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2250.

      As amended by the committee, this bill expands an existing law that directs the Commissioner of Health, in conjunction with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, to address the issue of postpartum depression by working with health care facilities and licensed health care professionals in the State to develop certain policies and procedures.  This bill adds an additional provision to the law mandating the development of a policy that would require:

· health care professionals providing prenatal care to women to provide education about postpartum depression to specifically include individuals who have an increased likelihood of postpartum depression because of a prior history of mental illness; and

· health care professionals providing prenatal and postnatal care to screen patients for perinatal depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth, using validated instruments, consistent with current evidence-based professional guidelines, and to arrange appropriate assessment and follow-up care for patients with positive screens.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments revise the bill to require the development of a policy that specifically requires:

· the provision of education about postpartum depression to individuals who have an increased likelihood of postpartum depression because of a prior history of mental illness; and

·  certain health care professionals to screen patients for perinatal depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth, using validated instruments and to arrange appropriate assessment and follow-up care for patients with positive screens.

      The committee amendments remove a provision of the bill that would have required the development of a policy that would require certain health care professionals to offer, and provide upon the request, pregnant patients with a history of depression a prenatal screening for postpartum depression.

      The committee amendments remove a reference to coping methods from the information that is provided to new mothers and fathers and other family members under the requirements of current law.

      The amendments revise the bill’s synopsis and title to reflect these changes.