Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 748	Senate Author:  Kolkhorst et al.
Effective:  9-1-19	House Sponsor:  Davis, Sarah et al.

            Senate Bill 748 amends the Health and Safety Code to set out provisions regarding maternal and newborn health care, including provisions creating the newborn screening preservation account as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund. Among other provisions, the bill provides for a Health and Human Services Commission report on actions taken to address maternal morbidity and to reduce maternal mortality rates and provides for annual data collection relating to maternity care and postpartum depression in Texas. The bill requires the development of a program to deliver prenatal and postpartum care through telehealth or telemedicine medical services in certain counties, a high‑risk maternal care coordination services pilot program, and a pregnancy medical home pilot program. Implementation of the bill's provisions regarding the high‑risk maternal care coordination pilot program is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose.