S.B. No. 436
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to statewide initiatives to improve maternal and newborn
  health for women with opioid use disorder.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Section 34.0158 to read as follows:
         Sec. 34.0158.  OPIOID USE DISORDER MATERNAL AND NEWBORN
  HEALTH INITIATIVES. (a)  The department, in collaboration with the
  task force, shall develop and implement initiatives to:
               (1)  improve screening procedures to better identify
  and care for women with opioid use disorder;
               (2)  improve continuity of care for women with opioid
  use disorder by ensuring that health care providers refer the women
  to appropriate treatment and verify the women receive the
  treatment;
               (3)  optimize health care provided to pregnant women
  with opioid use disorder;
               (4)  optimize health care provided to newborns with
  neonatal abstinence syndrome by encouraging maternal engagement;
               (5)  increase access to medication-assisted treatment
  for women with opioid use disorder during pregnancy and the
  postpartum period; and
               (6)  prevent opioid use disorder by reducing the number
  of opioid drugs prescribed before, during, and following a
  delivery.
         (b)  Before implementing the initiatives described by
  Subsection (a), the department may conduct a limited pilot program
  in one or more geographic areas of this state to implement the
  initiatives at hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 with expertise
  in caring for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome or related
  conditions.  The pilot program must conclude not later than March 1,
  2020.  This subsection expires September 1, 2021.
         (c)  Using existing resources, the department, in
  collaboration with the task force, shall promote and facilitate the
  use among health care providers in this state of maternal health
  informational materials, including tools and procedures related to
  best practices in maternal health to improve obstetrical care for
  women with opioid use disorder.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2020, the Department
  of State Health Services shall prepare and submit to the presiding
  officers of the standing committees of each house of the
  legislature with primary jurisdiction over public health a written
  report that evaluates the success of the initiatives developed and
  implemented under Section 34.0158, Health and Safety Code, as added
  by this Act, and, if applicable, the pilot program conducted under
  that section. The report submitted under this section may be
  submitted with the report required under Section 34.0156, Health
  and Safety Code.
         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.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 436 passed the Senate on
  April 10, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 436 passed the House on
  May 17, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 2, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor