Contributed Article/Courtesy Arizona House of Representatives
PHOENIX – Legislation aimed at helping Arizona mothers with postpartum depression was signed into law, delivering meaningful support for families and rural communities across the state.
HB2332, sponsored by House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to compile and distribute educational materials on maternal mental health, including postpartum depression, for both health care professionals and patients. The materials must be clear, easily accessible, and available throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
The law also creates an Advisory Committee to improve access to OB-GYN and maternal mental health services in rural areas where care is limited.
“We are standing up for Arizona moms and making sure they’re not left to struggle in silence,” said Representative Willoughby. “I’m proud to lead on legislation that delivers real help—clear information, real resources, and the support women need during and after pregnancy. This new law is a win for women, a win for rural Arizona, and a win for every community that values life and health.”
As a practicing nurse and mother, Representative Willoughby has long championed policies that prioritize patient care, personal responsibility, and family well-being.
The committee will include OB-GYNs, family doctors, midwives, doulas, and representatives from rural hospitals, tribal health facilities, insurers, and emergency providers. It will identify barriers to care and issue recommendations by Dec 31, 2026, focusing on access to prenatal, maternal mental health, labor and delivery, and postpartum services in underserved communities.
HB2332 passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support and reflects the House Republican Majority Plan’s focus on keeping Arizona a place where families can grow and succeed.
Julie Willoughby is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 13 in Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. She also serves as the House Majority Whip. Follow her on X at @JWilloughbyAZ.
