87R1067 JG-D
By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 420
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force on maternal mortality
in African American women.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. TASK FORCE ON MATERNAL MORTALITY IN
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
Sec. 32.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"
means the task force established by the executive commissioner
under Section 32.202.
Sec. 32.202. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. The executive
commissioner shall establish a task force to:
(1) study maternal mortality rates for African
American women and any related disparities; and
(2) develop and provide recommendations on improving
maternal health outcomes among African American women.
Sec. 32.203. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE; PRESIDING OFFICER;
COMPENSATION. (a) The task force is composed of nine members
appointed by the executive commissioner as follows:
(1) three licensed obstetricians or gynecologists
certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology each
with 15 or more years of experience in either field and a patient
base consisting of not less than 25 percent individuals who are
members of a racial minority;
(2) one primary care physician with 15 or more years of
experience in that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
(3) one surgeon with 15 or more years of experience in
that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
(4) one anesthesiologist with 15 or more years of
experience in that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
(5) one licensed mental health professional with 15 or
more years of experience in that field and whose expertise is in
postpartum depression; and
(6) two individuals with relevant and appropriate
expertise in maternal health.
(b) In making the appointments under Subsection (a)(1), the
executive commissioner shall ensure:
(1) one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
10 or more years of experience specializing in the field of
neonatology;
(2) one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
10 or more years of experience specializing in the field of
perinatology; and
(3) one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
experience working at a community hospital as an obstetrician or
gynecologist for less than nine years.
(c) The task force members shall elect a presiding officer
from among the membership of the task force.
(d) The executive commissioner shall fill a vacancy on the
task force by appointing a person who has the same qualifications as
required for the original appointee.
(e) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force
duties authorized by the presiding officer, provided funding is
available for that purpose.
Sec. 32.204. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at
least quarterly and at other times at the call of the presiding
officer.
(b) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
other law, the task force may meet by telephone conference call,
videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A
meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
other similar telecommunication method is subject to the
requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government
Code.
Sec. 32.205. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The task force
may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to carry out
task force duties under this subchapter.
Sec. 32.206. BIENNIAL REPORTS; IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN
RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) Not later than September 1 of each
even-numbered year, the task force shall prepare and submit to each
member of the legislature and the commission a report that:
(1) includes the results of the study conducted by the
task force and recommendations for legislative or regulatory action
based on those results; and
(2) examines and considers any trends or changes in
maternal health.
(b) To the extent permitted by law and as the executive
commissioner determines appropriate, the commission shall
implement any regulatory recommendations included in a report under
this section that are within the commission's prescribed authority.
Sec. 32.207. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
Sec. 32.208. TASK FORCE ABOLISHMENT; EXPIRATION OF
SUBCHAPTER. The task force is abolished and this subchapter
expires September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2021, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
establish and appoint members to the task force on maternal
mortality in African American women in accordance with Subchapter
G, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.