By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 1929
(In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2017; March 27, 2017, read
first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services;
April 24, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 24, 2017,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1929 By: Kolkhorst
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to maternal mortality and morbidity and pregnancy-related
deaths, including postpartum depression.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 34.005, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 34.005. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall:
(1) study and review:
(A) cases of pregnancy-related deaths; and
(B) trends, rates, or disparities in maternal
mortality and in severe maternal morbidity;
(2) determine the feasibility of the task force
studying cases of severe maternal morbidity; and
(3) make recommendations to help reduce the incidence
of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in this
state.
SECTION 2. Sections 34.007(a) and (b), Health and Safety
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall determine a statistically
significant number of cases of pregnancy-related deaths for
review. The department shall either randomly select cases or
select all cases for the task force to review under this subsection
to reflect a cross-section of pregnancy-related deaths in this
state.
(b) The department shall statistically analyze aggregate
data of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in
this state to identify any trends, rates, or disparities.
SECTION 3. Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Section 34.0155 to read as follows:
Sec. 34.0155. REPORT ON MATERNAL MORTALITY AND
PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS. The commission shall:
(1) evaluate options for reducing maternal mortality,
focusing on the most prevalent causes of maternal mortality as
identified in the task force's biennial report required under
Section 34.015, and for treating postpartum depression in
economically disadvantaged women;
(2) submit a written report that summarizes the
commission's efforts to accomplish the tasks described by
Subdivision (1) to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, the Legislative Budget
Board, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature
not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year; and
(3) to the extent authorized by state and federal law,
apply for federal money to fund the screening and treatment of
postpartum depression under Section 10005 of the 21st Century Cures
Act (42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.) and consider the
recommendations contained in the task force's biennial report in
using any federal grant money received.
SECTION 4. Section 34.018, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 34.018. SUNSET PROVISION. The task force is subject to
Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued
in existence as provided by that chapter, the task force is
abolished and this chapter expires December 31, 2023 [September 1,
2019].
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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