88R13778 LRM-D
By: Lalani H.B. No. 3626
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a maternal health care workforce campaign.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 32, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 32.0215 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.0215. MATERNAL HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE CAMPAIGN. (a)
In this section, "maternal health care professional" means a health
care professional who is certified or licensed in this state to
provide maternal health care, including a doula and an individual
who provides nonmedical support during pregnancy, labor, delivery,
and the postpartum period.
(b) Using available resources, the department shall develop
and implement a public outreach campaign to increase the number of
maternal health care professionals in this state's health care
workforce to improve access to maternal health care in rural areas
of this state and other areas with a shortage of maternal health
care professionals. The department shall design the campaign to:
(1) facilitate the implementation of trauma-informed
care training programs for all maternal health care professionals;
(2) prioritize continuing education for maternal
health care professionals;
(3) facilitate the implementation of training
programs to increase the number of maternal health care
professionals in rural areas of this state and other areas with a
shortage of maternal health care professionals;
(4) increase the overall capacity of the maternal
health care workforce in this state, including by investing in
maternal health care equipment and locations that provide maternal
health care;
(5) facilitate the implementation of training
programs to increase in the maternal health care workforce the
number of health care professionals who are members of racial or
ethnic minority groups; and
(6) facilitate the implementation of maternal health
care programs to improve access to maternal health care and provide
services to women of underserved racial or ethnic minority groups.
(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
to implement this section.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall develop
and implement the maternal health care workforce campaign required
by Section 32.0215, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.