THIRD READING

Bill No: ACR 198

Author: Patel (D), et al.

Introduced: 5/5/26

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/14/26 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

In the United States, maternal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy, yet also one of the most underdiagnosed obstetrical complications in the country. Maternal mental health disorders encompass a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis.
Maternal mental health affects about one in five women during or after pregnancy, but all women are at risk of suffering from maternal mental health disorders. Specifically, in California, one in three mothers suffers from pregnancy-related depression or anxiety.
Fewer than 15% of identified cases of maternal mental health disorders are treated as a result of the shortage of screening providers who are available or able to provide necessary treatment, and also as a result of personal, structural, and systemic barriers within the health care system.
Lack of understanding and the continual social stigma of mental health disorders prevent women and families from understanding the signs, symptoms, and risks involved with maternal mental health and disproportionately affect women who lack access to social support networks.

This resolution dedicates the month of May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 161 (Weber Pierson, Resolution Chapter 73, Statutes of 2026)

ACR 78 (Patel, Resolution Chapter 102, Statutes of 2025)

ACR 70 (Pellerin, Resolution Chapter 94, Statutes of 2023)

SCR 63 (Hurtado, Resolution Chapter 101, Statutes of 2023)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/26/26)

California Perinatal Wellness Alliance

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/26/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/14/26

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, Flora, Celeste Rodriguez

Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-4171

5/27/26 16:29:19

**** END ****

ACR 198: Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

Current Status:

News Coverage: