By Jonathan Eberle |

Arizona lawmakers have passed new legislation aimed at bolstering support for maternal mental health, particularly for women experiencing postpartum depression. The bill, HB 2332, was signed into law this month and is set to expand education and improve access to care across the state, with a particular focus on rural and underserved communities.

Sponsored by Rep. Julie Willoughby (R-LD13), who also serves as House Majority Whip, the measure directs the Arizona Department of Health Services to create and distribute educational materials on maternal mental health. These resources will be made available to both healthcare providers and patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The new law also establishes a Maternal Health Advisory Committee, tasked with identifying and addressing barriers to care in regions where access to OB-GYN and mental health services is limited. The committee’s findings and recommendations are due by the end of 2026.

“We are standing up for Arizona moms and making sure they’re not left to struggle in silence,” Willoughby said in a statement. “This new law is a win for women, a win for rural Arizona, and a win for every community that values life and health.”

Willoughby, a practicing nurse and mother, has made maternal health a legislative priority. She emphasized that the law is designed to deliver “real help” through clear information and accessible support.

The advisory committee will be composed of a wide range of stakeholders, including OB-GYNs, family physicians, midwives, doulas, and representatives from rural hospitals, tribal health facilities, insurers, and emergency providers.

HB 2332 passed the Arizona Legislature with bipartisan support, aligning with broader efforts in the Republican majority’s policy platform to promote family well-being and rural health access.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.