| Passed by the Senate April 18, 2005 YEAS 43 ________________________________________ President of the Senate Passed by the House April 11, 2005 YEAS 95 ________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives | I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SENATE BILL 5898 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth. ________________________________________ Secretary | |
| Approved ________________________________________ Governor of the State of Washington | Secretary of State State of Washington |
| State of Washington | 59th Legislature | 2005 Regular Session |
Read first time 02/11/2005. Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.
AN ACT Relating to postpartum depression; adding new sections to chapter 43.121 RCW; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 43.121 RCW
to read as follows:
The legislature finds that postpartum depression is a serious
condition that affects women of all ages, economic status, and racial
and ethnic backgrounds. Postpartum depression includes a range of
physical and emotional changes that many mothers can have following the
birth of a child, which can be treated with medication and counseling.
If untreated, however, postpartum depression can lead to further
depression, self-destructive behavior, or even suicide, as well as
child abuse, neglect, or death of the infant or other siblings.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 43.121 RCW
to read as follows:
The council shall conduct a proactive, public information and
communication outreach campaign concerning the significance, signs, and
treatment of postpartum depression.
The public information campaign may, within available funds,
include production and distribution of a brochure and communication by
electronic media, telephone hotlines, and existing parenting education
events funded by the council.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 The sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, or
as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general
fund to the Washington council for the prevention of child abuse and
neglect for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, to carry out the
purposes of this act.