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HB 742

Regards behavioral health screenings in the perinatal period

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rachel Baker and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes perinatal behavioral health screenings and creates a statewide referral system with designated resources to connect identified individuals with specialized care and peer

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 742

Overview

HB 742 (136th General Assembly, Ohio) would authorize behavioral health screenings for women during the perinatal period and create a state framework to support referrals to specialized perinatal behavioral health services. The bill would require designated statewide perinatal referral resources, allow insurer coverage for screenings, and appropriate $2 million annually in FY2026 and FY2027 to support referral partnerships and access services.

Purpose and Intent

  • Promote early identification of behavioral health conditions in pregnant and postpartum women (the perinatal period, defined as start of pregnancy through one year after birth).
  • Create a formal statewide referral system to connect screen-identified individuals with specialized perinatal behavioral health care, peer support, and navigation services.
  • Facilitate insurance coverage for perinatal behavioral health screenings, expanding access and reducing financial barriers.

Key Provisions

Perinatal Behavioral Health Screenings (R.C. 3702.41)

  • Health care professionals and behavioral health professionals may screen women for behavioral health disorders during:
    • Perinatal care provided to the woman, or
    • Pediatric care provided to an infant within the first year of life when the mother is present.
  • Screenings require the woman’s consent.
  • If screening indicates possible risk:
    • Providers who are not specialized perinatal behavioral health providers must offer a referral to a specialized perinatal provider or to a designated statewide perinatal referral program (or both).
    • If immediate risk to self or others is identified, the provider must notify emergency personnel or follow applicable emergency protocols.
  • Referrals must include timely, accessible information about the referred provider or program.

Statewide Perinatal Referral Resources (R.C. 5119.172)

  • The Department of Behavioral Health must designate one or more specialized perinatal behavioral health programs as statewide referral resources.
  • Designated programs must offer or coordinate access to peer support, care navigation, and related resources for perinatal individuals.
  • The Department must ensure programs are accessible and notify:
    • Hospitals with maternity units or newborn care nurseries (Chapter 3722)
    • Maternity homes (Chapter 3711)
    • Freestanding birthing centers (Chapter 3702.30)
  • Health professionals and facilities must be informed about how to make direct referrals to designated programs.

Health Insurance Coverage (R.C. 3902.65)

  • Health benefit plans issued, renewed, or amended on or after the effective date may provide coverage for behavioral health screenings permitted under 3702.41.
  • Plans may impose cost-sharing for these screenings.

Appropriations and Administration (R.C. 5119.172; Sec. 4)

  • Allocates $2,000,000 in FY2026 and $2,000,000 in FY2027 (from General Revenue Fund, MHA DBH) to support partnerships with specialized perinatal behavioral health access-to-care organizations.
  • Funds to be used to offer direct referrals from frontline providers to perinatal providers (e.g., peer support).
  • The Director of Budget and Management will manage appropriations accounts and align them with existing HB 96 provisions.

Who Will Be Affected

  • Pregnant and birthing individuals (and their infants) during the perinatal period.
  • Health care professionals and behavioral health professionals who conduct screenings.
  • Hospitals, maternity homes, and freestanding birthing centers that may refer patients to specialized perinatal services.
  • Designated statewide perinatal referral programs and peer-support/navigation providers.
  • Health insurers offering plans in Ohio (to the extent they choose to provide coverage for screenings).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date not specified in the text provided; the bill includes appropriations for FY2026 and FY2027.
  • Requires the Department of Behavioral Health to designate at least one statewide perinatal referral resource.
  • Referrals must be provided immediately when there is risk of immediate harm, per standard emergency protocols.
  • Operating appropriations are in addition to existing funds and are subject to HB 96 provisions for accounting.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Improved early identification of perinatal behavioral health issues and increased access to specialized care.
  • Development of a formal network of referral resources could streamline care transitions from screening to treatment.
  • Insurer coverage for screenings could reduce patient cost barriers, depending on plan design and cost-sharing allowances.
  • The effectiveness depends on practical implementation: the availability of designated perinatal programs, provider awareness, and timely referrals.

If you’d like, I can tailor this into a one-page briefing for stakeholders or compare it to similar perinatal screening initiatives in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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