86R10459 JG-F
By: Walle H.B. No. 2618
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the maternal peer support pilot program for perinatal
mood disorder.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. MATERNAL PEER SUPPORT PILOT PROGRAM
Sec. 32.101. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "pilot
program" means the maternal peer support pilot program established
under this subchapter.
Sec. 32.102. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The
commission shall establish and operate the maternal peer support
pilot program to reduce the risk and manage the effects of perinatal
mood disorders in women through the delivery of peer support
services at federally qualified health centers located in the
geographic areas in which the pilot program operates.
(b) The commission shall establish the pilot program in
three counties in this state that:
(1) either:
(A) are within an area designated as a mental
health professional shortage area; or
(B) have high rates of maternal mortality and
morbidity as determined by the commission in consultation with the
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force established under
Chapter 34; and
(2) include at least one rural county and one county
with a population of at least one million.
Sec. 32.103. OPERATION OF PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In
establishing the pilot program, the commission shall:
(1) develop a strategy for federally qualified health
centers participating in the pilot program and persons responsible
for training to collaborate on the training, certification, and
guidance of peer support specialists;
(2) seek comments regarding best practices for the
design and implementation of the pilot program from relevant
interested persons, including mental health care providers, local
mental health authorities, certified peer support specialists and
affiliated organizations, women's health care providers, and
individuals who have personal experience with perinatal mood
disorders;
(3) develop specialized training to:
(A) identify and treat symptoms of perinatal mood
disorders; and
(B) provide peer support services to pregnant
women and new mothers;
(4) develop a strategy for peer support specialists
participating in the pilot program to provide peer support services
through telemedicine or telehealth services;
(5) collaborate with federally qualified health
centers participating in the pilot program to integrate the
delivery of peer support services with the health care services
provided by the centers to women during pregnancy and within one
year of giving birth;
(6) create a protocol for referring to peer support
services women who are diagnosed as having or identified as being at
risk of developing a perinatal mood disorder;
(7) ensure that services provided by peer support
specialists under the pilot program are within the scope of a
practice of care prescribed by commission rule for peer support
specialists who provide similar services; and
(8) develop a method for collecting data on:
(A) maternal health and mental health outcomes;
and
(B) substance use by women receiving peer support
services through the pilot program.
(b) A peer support specialist who provides peer support
services through the pilot program shall:
(1) provide peer support services to women who:
(A) based on the results of a postpartum
depression screening or other screening tool, are diagnosed as
having or identified as being at risk of developing a perinatal mood
disorder; and
(B) are interested in receiving peer support
services; and
(2) through the use of the specialist's personal
experience with perinatal mood disorders:
(A) provide guidance to the women;
(B) if necessary, advocate for the women to
receive mental health care services or other specialized health
care services; and
(C) provide the women with information on mental
health care resources as necessary.
Sec. 32.104. FUNDING. In addition to money appropriated by
the legislature, the commission may accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any source for the purpose of establishing the pilot
program and compensating peer support specialists under the pilot
program.
Sec. 32.105. REPORT. Not later than January 1, 2021, the
commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant
governor, and legislature a written report that:
(1) evaluates the success of the pilot program in
reducing perinatal mood disorders and substance use in women who
received peer support services under the pilot program; and
(2) recommends whether the pilot program should be
continued, expanded, or terminated.
Sec. 32.106. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires September 1,
2023.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 31, 2019, the
executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
shall adopt rules as necessary to establish the pilot program as
required by Subchapter E, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act.
(b) Not later than June 31, 2020, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall establish the pilot program as required
by Subchapter E, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.