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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 742
2025-2026
Representatives Baker, Salvo
To
enact sections 3702.41, 3902.65, and
5119.172
of the Revised Code
regarding
behavioral health screenings in the perinatal period and to make an
appropriation.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
sections 3702.41, 3902.65, and
5119.172
of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec.
3702.41.
(A)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Health care professional" means an individual who is
licensed or certified under the Revised Code, or otherwise authorized
in this state, to provide specified medical services within the scope
of the individual's license, certification, or other authorization.
(2)
"Behavioral health professional" means an individual who is
licensed or certified under the Revised Code, or otherwise authorized
in this state, to provide specified behavioral health services within
the scope of the individual's license, certification, or other
authorization.
(3)
"Perinatal" means the period of time beginning at the start
of a woman's pregnancy and ending one year after the woman gives
birth.
(B)
Subject to division (C) of this section, a health care professional
or behavioral health professional may screen a woman or mother for
one or more behavioral health disorders in either of the following
circumstances:
(1)
As part of any perinatal care the professional provides to the woman;
(2)
As part of any pediatric care the professional provides to an infant
within a year of birth when the infant's mother is present for such
care.
(C)
A health care professional or behavioral health professional may
perform the screening described in division (B) of this section
during the perinatal period as part of the perinatal care or
pediatric care described in division (B) of this section if the woman
or mother consents to the screening.
(D)(1)
If a screening performed under this section indicates that a woman or
mother may be at risk for a behavioral health disorder or may be
experiencing such a disorder and the professional is not a provider
of specialized perinatal behavioral health services, the professional
shall offer the woman or mother a referral, either in person or via
telehealth, that is either:
(a)
Directly to a provider of specialized perinatal behavioral health
services for further assessment and treatment;
(b)
Directly to a program designated by the department of behavioral
health under section 5119.172 of the Revised Code.
(2)
If a screening performed under this section indicates that a woman or
mother is at risk of immediate harm to self or others, the
professional shall notify emergency personnel or follow any emergency
protocol governing such a circumstance established by the setting in
which the professional practices.
(E)
When a health care professional or behavioral health professional
makes a referral pursuant to division (D) of this section, the
professional also shall ensure that the woman or mother receives
timely and accessible information about the specialized perinatal
behavioral health service provider or program to which the woman or
mother was referred.
Sec.
3902.65.
(A)
Notwithstanding section 3901.71 of the Revised Code, a health benefit
plan issued, renewed, or amended on or after the effective date of
this section, may provide coverage for behavioral health screenings
permitted under section 3702.41 of the Revised Code.
(B)
Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a health
benefit plan from imposing a cost sharing requirement in relation to
the coverage provided under this section.
Sec.
5119.172.
(A)
As used in this section, "health care professional" and
"behavioral health professional" have the same meanings as
in section 3702.41 of the Revised Code.
(B)
The department of behavioral health shall designate one or more
specialized perinatal behavioral health programs to serve as
statewide referral resources under section 3702.41 of the Revised
Code. Designated programs shall demonstrate the capacity to provide
or coordinate access to peer support, behavioral health care
navigation, and other resources for individuals identified through
screening.
(C)
The department shall ensure that any program designated under this
section is accessible to patients and that health care professionals,
behavioral health professionals, and the following facilities are
notified of how to make direct referrals to the program:
(1)
Hospitals licensed under Chapter 3722. of the Revised Code that
operate a maternity unit or newborn care nursery;
(2)
Maternity homes licensed under Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code;
(3)
Freestanding birthing centers licensed under section 3702.30 of the
Revised Code.
Section
2.
All
items in this act are hereby appropriated as designated out of any
moneys in the state treasury to the credit of the designated fund.
For all operating appropriations made in this act, those in the first
column are for fiscal year 2026 and those in the second column are
for fiscal year 2027. The operating appropriations made in this act
are in addition to any other operating appropriations made for these
fiscal years.
Section
3.
1
2
3
4
5
A
MHA
DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
B
General
Revenue Fund
C
GRF
336426
Perinatal
Behavioral Health
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
D
General
Revenue Fund Total
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
E
TOTAL
ALL BUDGET FUND GROUPS
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
PERINATAL
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
The
foregoing appropriation item 336426, Perinatal Behavioral Health,
shall be used to partner with specialized perinatal behavioral health
access to care organizations to offer direct referrals for those who
are screened for perinatal behavioral health conditions from front
line providers to perinatal providers such as peer support.
Section
4.
Within
the limits set forth in this act, the Director of Budget and
Management shall establish accounts indicating the source and amount
of funds for each appropriation made in this act, and shall determine
the manner in which appropriation accounts shall be maintained.
Expenditures from operating appropriations contained in this act
shall be accounted for as though made in, and are subject to all
applicable provisions of, H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly.