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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study concerning maternal mortality and morbidity in |
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the state's African American population. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) The Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task |
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Force, within the Department of State Health Services, shall |
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conduct a study to evaluate the causes of maternal mortality and |
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morbidity in the state's African American population. The study |
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must evaluate health conditions that disproportionately affect the |
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African American population, including: |
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(1) cardiac health conditions; |
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(2) eclampsia; |
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(3) hypertensive disorders; |
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(4) obesity; and |
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(5) stress-related health conditions. |
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(b) The study must compare rates of maternal mortality and |
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morbidity based on the socioeconomic status and level of education |
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of the mother. |
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(c) At the conclusion of the study, the Maternal Mortality |
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and Morbidity Task Force shall develop recommendations on: |
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(1) reducing the incidence of pregnancy-related |
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deaths and severe maternal morbidity; |
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(2) patient outreach and education; |
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(3) health care provider training; |
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(4) best practices that have been identified as |
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successful in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity; and |
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(5) programs operating in other states that have |
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reduced maternal mortality and morbidity rates. |
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(d) The Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force shall |
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include a written report that summarizes the study's findings and |
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the task force's recommendations in the biennial report required |
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under Section 34.015, Health and Safety Code, to be submitted not |
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later than September 1, 2018. |
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SECTION 2. This Act expires December 31, 2018. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |