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Bill

A 947

Requires DOH to establish public awareness campaign and develop policies and procedures to promote recognition and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.*

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Alixon Collazos-Gill and 6 co-sponsors

The bill requires routine screening and education for perinatal anxiety across prenatal and postnatal care to enable early detection and treatment.

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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Bill Summary · A 947

Bill A-947 (2022 Session, New Jersey) — Summary

Purpose and Intent

A-947 aims to improve recognition, screening, treatment, and public awareness of perinatal anxiety in New Jersey. The bill treats perinatal anxiety as a distinct, actionable health concern that can affect pregnant individuals, new mothers, and their families. It seeks to standardize education for patients and families, implement routine screening, and promote public education about the disorder, with the goal of early detection and better health outcomes.

Key Provisions

1) Education and Screening in Prenatal Care

  • The Commissioner of Health, in cooperation with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing, must develop policies requiring licensed health professionals who provide prenatal care to:
    • Inform pregnant patients and their families about perinatal anxiety (symptoms, coping strategies, available treatment resources).
    • Screen prenatal patients for perinatal anxiety at least once in each trimester of pregnancy.

2) Information for Birthing Facilities

  • All birthing facilities must provide departing new mothers and fathers (and, as appropriate, other family members) with complete information on perinatal anxiety (symptoms, coping methods, treatment resources).

3) Postnatal Screening

  • Postnatal care providers must screen new mothers for perinatal anxiety before discharge from the birthing facility and again at the first few postnatal check-ups.

4) Involving Family

  • Prenatal and postnatal care providers must involve fathers and other family members in education and treatment planning when appropriate, to support the mother and address spillover effects.

5) Screening Tools

  • Screening can be conducted using the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), or another commissioner-approved scale or test.

6) Public Awareness Campaign (Subject to Funding)

  • If funding is available, the Commissioner shall establish a public awareness campaign about perinatal anxiety, covering its nature, causes, symptoms, coping methods, and treatment options.

7) Regulatory Framework

  • The Commissioner of Health will adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the act’s provisions.

8) Effective Date

  • The act proposes immediate effect upon enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Pregnant individuals and their families
  • New mothers and fathers
  • Birthing facilities (hospitals and other licensed birth centers)
  • Licensed health care professionals (physicians, nurse midwives, etc.)
  • State health authorities (Commissioner of Health, Board of Medical Examiners, Board of Nursing)

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill outlines ongoing collaboration between health authorities and professionals to implement screening and education requirements.
  • It allows for a public awareness campaign contingent on available funding.
  • Regulatory updates would follow via standard rulemaking processes under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Additional Context

  • The bill cites prevalence estimates (about 6% of pregnant and 10% of postpartum women) and emphasizes early recognition as critical for effective treatment, which can include psychotherapy, exercise, or medication.
  • It endorses PASS as a recognized screening tool, with flexibility for approved alternatives.

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

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