BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1929
85R24386 DMS-D	By: Kolkhorst
	Health & Human Services
	4/20/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force established by S.B. 495, 83rd Legislature, is a multidisciplinary group tasked to study maternal mortality and morbidity in Texas. The task force has produced two reports since its inception, providing critical information on maternal mortality and morbidity trends and demographics in Texas. Considering the findings of the task force, much work still needs to be done to more directly address the causes of pregnancy-related deaths in Texas.

 

C.S.S.B. 1929 would extend the expiration date of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force from September 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023. C.S.S.B. 1929 also directs the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to evaluate options to address the most prevalent causes of maternal death as identified by the task force and directs HHSC to seek a new federal grant for screening and treatment for postpartum depression.

 

C.S.S.B. 1929 amends current law relating to maternal mortality and morbidity and pregnancy-related deaths, including postpartum depression.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 34.005, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 34.005. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. Requires the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force (task force) to study and review trends, rates, or disparities in maternal mortality and in severe maternal morbidity, rather than study and review trends in severe maternal morbidity.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 34.007(a) and (b), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

(a) Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to 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) Requires DSHS to statistically analyze aggregate data of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in this state to identify any trends, rates, or disparities.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 34.0155, as follows:

 

Sec. 34.0155. REPORT ON MATERNAL MORTALITY AND PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS. Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to:

 

(1) evaluate options for reducing maternal mortality, focusing on the most prevalent causes of maternal mortality as identified in the task force's biennial report required under Section 34.015 (Reports), and for treating postpartum depression in economically disadvantaged women;

 

(2) submit a written report that summarizes HHSC's efforts to accomplish the tasks described by Subdivision (1) to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the Legislative Budget Board, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year; and

 

(3) to the extent authorized by state and federal law, apply for federal money to fund the screening and treatment of postpartum depression under Section 10005 of the 21st Century Cures Act (42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.) and consider the recommendations contained in the task force's biennial report in using any federal grant money received.

 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 34.018, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 34.018. SUNSET PROVISION. Provides that the task force is subject to Chapter 325 (Sunset Law), Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Provides that, unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the task force is abolished and this chapter (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force) expires December 31, 2023, rather than September 1, 2019.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2017.