By: Walle H.B. No. 3966

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the duties and continuation of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force.

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 maternal mortality 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. Section 34.007, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 34.007. SELECTION AND REVIEW OF CASES. (a) The department shall determine a statistically significant number of cases of pregnancy-related deaths for review. The department shall [randomly] select either some or 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 maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in this state to identify any trends, rates, or disparities.

(c) If feasible, the department may select cases of severe maternal morbidity for review. In selecting cases under this subsection, the department shall randomly select cases for the task force to review to reflect trends identified under Subsection (b).

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 September 1, 2023 [2019].

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.