SB 246 (2025)
"Momnibus 2.0" with various funding and legal protections for new parents
This bill is titled "The New Hampshire Momnibus 2.0". First, this bill provides maternal depression screening for new mothers. Second, the bill sets aside funding for a perinatal psychiatric provider consult line and rural maternal health EMS services. The bill also requires insurance coverage for perinatal home visiting services. The bill then requires employers to grant employees leave to attend medical appointments for postpartum care and an infant's medical appointments. Lastly, the bill directs the Insurance Department to study barriers to independent birth centers, and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for a perinatal peer support certification program.
The Senate amended the bill to remove some additional requirements for employers. For example, as introduced the bill would have extended employment protection for employees who take family and medical leave so that the law applied to smaller employers.