HB322 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Frances Holk-JonesRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Post-partum depression; to provide for education and assessment

Summary

HB322 would require the Department of Public Health to create and share educational materials about postpartum depression and would require clinicians to assess birth mothers for postpartum depression during postnatal or pediatric care, with protections for providers.

What This Bill Does

ADPH must publish educational materials on postpartum depression for health care professionals and parents, including signs/symptoms and when to seek help, and keep them current online and in printed form. Hospitals may provide these materials to parents at discharge, and clinicians are protected from certain claims related to providing this information. Clinicians must assess birth mothers for postpartum depression during postnatal or pediatric care and may use professional judgment in treatment decisions, without establishing a new standard of care or altering existing medical liability laws. The act takes effect October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Birth mothers/new mothers who would be assessed for postpartum depression and receive educational materials about signs, symptoms, and help-seeking.
• Health care professionals and hospitals who must provide or distribute the materials, perform the assessment, and are protected from certain liability claims related to the information provided.

Key Provisions

• The Alabama Department of Public Health must publish written materials about postpartum depression for health care professionals and educate parents, including signs/symptoms and when to seek help, and keep them current.
• Materials must be posted on the ADPH website and available in printed form to distribute to professionals and hospitals; hospitals may provide materials to parents at discharge.
• Hospitals, physicians, and other licensed professionals are not liable for claims resulting from providing or failing to provide the information and materials on maternal mental health developed under this section.
• Physicians or other licensed professionals must assess birth mothers for postpartum depression during postnatal or pediatric care and exercise professional judgment in treatment decisions.
• The act does not establish a standard of care or modify existing medical liability laws, and it becomes effective October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health