BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2604

By: Farrar

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the state needs to strengthen the ability of state program providers to properly treat women experiencing postpartum depression. H.B. 2604 seeks to address this issue by providing for a five-year strategic plan to improve access to screening, referral, treatment, and support services for postpartum depression.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2604 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to develop and to require the Department of State Health Services to implement a five-year strategic plan to improve access to screening, referral, treatment, and support services for postpartum depression. The bill requires the strategic plan to provide certain specified strategies in relation to postpartum depression. The bill requires the executive commissioner to develop the initial strategic plan not later than September 1, 2018, and to develop not later than September 1 of the last fiscal year in each five-year period a new strategic plan for the next five fiscal years beginning with the following fiscal year. The bill requires the executive commissioner to coordinate with the statewide health coordinating council, the office of mental health coordination, and the statewide behavioral health coordinating council in developing the strategic plan and requires the executive commissioner to annually update the plan.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.