Relative to Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 22 co-sponsors

Designates a California Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month to boost public awareness, education, and collaboration on screening, support, and resources without new funding.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 73, Statutes of 2026.

#maternalmentalhealthawarenessmonth

Summary of SCR 161 (2025-2026) – Relative to Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month

SCR 161 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution in California that designates a specific observance related to maternal mental health. The bill’s text and legislative history indicate that its primary purpose is to recognize and promote awareness of maternal mental health issues, with an emphasis on raising public understanding, reducing stigma, and encouraging support and resources for affected individuals and families.

1) Purpose and Intent

Officially designates a period (likely a specific month or month-long awareness focus) as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in California.

Aims to foster public awareness about the prevalence, impact, and resources related to mental health challenges experienced by mothers during pregnancy, postpartum, and the broader postpartum period.

Seeks to encourage statewide education, outreach, and collaboration among public agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and families.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Formal designation: The resolution proclaims a Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month within the state of California.

Messaging and outreach: Encourages awareness campaigns, educational programs, and dissemination of information about signs, risk factors, and available supports for maternal mental health.

Collaboration and resources: Urges state agencies, public health departments, and relevant stakeholders to coordinate efforts to improve access to screening, referral, and treatment for maternal mental health conditions.

No new funding mandate: As a concurrent resolution, it typically does not authorize new state spending or create new statutory duties; rather, it signals intent and encourages actions by public and private entities.

3) Affected Persons and Entities

Mothers and pregnant individuals and those in the postpartum period who may experience mental health challenges.

Families and support networks seeking information and resources.

State and local government agencies (e.g., Health and Human Services agencies, public health departments) and healthcare providers.

Community organizations and advocacy groups focused on maternal health, perinatal mood disorders, and family well-being.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and referral: Introduced and referred to the Senate Rules Committee in April 2026.

Legislative timeline: Passed in the Senate and Assembly in May 2026, with successive readings and motions typical of a concurrent resolution.

Enactment: Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State and chaptered as Chapter 73, Statutes of 2026, on May 21, 2026.

Effective date: As a resolution, it generally becomes effective upon chaptering and publication, without creating new statutory obligations or funding requirements.

5) Additional Context

Sponsorship: The resolution has a broad slate of co-authors and sponsors from both houses, including notable lawmakers and a diverse range of districts, reflecting cross-cutting support for maternal mental health awareness.

Policy nature: This bill is primarily symbolic and educational, aiming to unify and amplify statewide messaging on maternal mental health rather than to impose new regulatory requirements or allocate funds.

If you’d like, I can pull in the exact date designated for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month under SCR 161 or compare it to national awareness timelines for additional context.