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.