85S10123 DMS-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 51
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to pregnancy-related deaths and maternal morbidity,
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
pregnancy-related deaths and [in] severe maternal morbidity;
(C) health conditions and factors that
disproportionately affect the most at-risk population as
determined in the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force and
Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report (July
2016); and
(D) best practices and programs operating in
other states that have reduced rates of pregnancy-related deaths;
(2) compare rates of pregnancy-related deaths based on
the socioeconomic status of the mother;
(3) determine the feasibility of the task force
studying cases of severe maternal morbidity; and
(4) [(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 PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS AND
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. The commission shall:
(1) evaluate options for reducing pregnancy-related
deaths, focusing on the most prevalent causes of pregnancy-related
deaths as identified in the task force's biennial report required
under Section 34.015, and for treating postpartum depression in
economically disadvantaged women; and
(2) submit a written report summarizing the
commission's and department'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.
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 September 1, 2023 [2019].
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.