A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE Department of Health and Human Services TO BE ALLOCATED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION education and SCREENING PROGRAM.
Whereas, Postpartum Depression (PPD) occurs following 10%‑15% of all deliveries; and
Whereas, PPD adversely impacts the development of offspring and siblings; and
Whereas, PPD is potentially life‑threatening in that it was the leading cause of maternal death from six months of pregnancy to one‑year postpartum; and
Whereas, the devastating consequences of PPD are compounded by its low detection rate, leading several states to actively educate their populations about the possible occurrence of PPD; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year.  These funds shall be allocated to the UNC School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, for the design and implementation of education and screening programs to identify resources for the treatment of women who develop postpartum depression.   These funds may be used for salaries, educational materials, and screening instruments. The UNC School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, shall work with the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the State Board of Nursing, and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) to implement the education and screening programs.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.