Perinatal mental health screening expanded

Mental health screening for women who recently have given birth was expanded under a bill passed April 12.

LB905, introduced by Fremont Sen. Lynne Walz, allows the state Board of Medicine and Surgery to develop educational material, policies and procedures to address perinatal and postnatal mental health disorders.

The bill also allows licensed health care professionals and advanced practice registered nurses to educate pregnant women about perinatal and postnatal mental health and to offer pregnant women and new mothers a mental health screening questionnaire.

Senators passed LB905 on a vote of 44-0.