86R8787 JG-D
 
  By: Farrar, Minjarez H.B. No. 253
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 253:
 
  By:  Ortega C.S.H.B. No. 253
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a strategic plan to address postpartum depression.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 32.046 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.046.  POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION STRATEGIC PLAN. (a)  
  The commission shall develop and implement a five-year strategic
  plan to improve access to postpartum depression screening,
  referral, treatment, and support services.  Not later than
  September 1 of the last fiscal year in each five-year period, the
  commission shall develop a new strategic plan for the next five
  fiscal years beginning with the following fiscal year.
         (b)  The strategic plan must provide strategies to:
               (1)  increase awareness among state-administered
  program providers who may serve women who are at risk of or are
  experiencing postpartum depression about the prevalence and
  effects of postpartum depression on outcomes for women and
  children;
               (2)  establish a referral network of community-based
  mental health providers and support services addressing postpartum
  depression;
               (3)  increase women's access to formal and informal
  peer support services, including access to certified peer
  specialists who have received additional training related to
  postpartum depression;
               (4)  raise public awareness of and reduce the stigma
  related to postpartum depression; and
               (5)  leverage sources of funding to support existing
  community-based postpartum depression screening, referral,
  treatment, and support services.
         (c)  The commission shall coordinate with the department,
  the statewide health coordinating council, the office of mental
  health coordination, and the statewide behavioral health
  coordinating council in developing the strategic plan.
         (d)  The commission, in consultation with the department,
  the statewide health coordinating council, the office of mental
  health coordination, and the statewide behavioral health
  coordinating council, shall annually review and update, as
  necessary, the strategic plan.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2020, the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall develop the initial strategic plan
  required by Section 32.046, Health and Safety Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  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 September 1, 2019.