Texas 2017 85th 1st C.S.

Texas House Bill HB59 Introduced / Bill

Filed 07/10/2017

                    85S10117 DMS-D
 By: Walle H.B. No. 59


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to maternal morbidity and pregnancy-related deaths.
 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;
 (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.  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 4.  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.