Bill Text: VA HB42 | 2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered

Virginia House Bill 42 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Prenatal and postnatal depression, etc.; importance of screening patients.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-04-06 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0709) [HB42 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2020-HB42-Chaptered.html

CHAPTER 709 An Act to require the Board of Medicine to annually communicate to relevant practitioners the importance of screening patients for prenatal and postnatal depression and other depression. [H 42] Approved April 6, 2020

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. §1. The Board of Medicine shall annually issue a communication to every practitioner licensed by the Board who provides primary, maternity, obstetrical, or gynecological health care services reiterating the standard of care pertaining to prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression. Such communication shall encourage practitioners to screen every patient who is pregnant or who has been pregnant within the previous five years for prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, as clinically appropriate and shall provide information to practitioners regarding the factors that may increase susceptibility of certain patients to prenatal or postnatal depression or other depression, including racial and economic disparities, and encourage providers to remain cognizant of the increased risk of depression for such patients.