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.