86R14566 JG-D

By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 2150

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the reporting of certain information on maternal mortality to the Department of State Health Services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 34.001, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (11-a) and (12-a) and amending Subdivisions (12) and (14) to read as follows:

(11-a) "Pregnancy-associated death" means the death of a woman by any cause that occurs during or within one year of delivery or end of pregnancy, regardless of the outcome or location of the pregnancy.

(12) "Pregnancy-related death" means the death of a woman while pregnant or within one year of delivery or end of pregnancy, regardless of the outcome, duration, or location [and site] of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes.

(12-a) "Review committee" means the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.

(14) "Task force" means the review committee [Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force].

SECTION 2. The heading to Section 34.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 34.002. MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY REVIEW COMMITTEE; REFERENCE IN LAW [TASK FORCE].

SECTION 3. Section 34.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) The Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee [Task Force] is administered by the department.

(a-1) Notwithstanding any other law, a reference in this chapter or other law to the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force means the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.

SECTION 4. Section 34.017, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:

(c) The department may allow voluntary and confidential reporting to the department of pregnancy-associated deaths and pregnancy-related deaths by health care professionals, health care facilities, and persons who complete the medical certification for a death certificate for deaths reviewed or analyzed by the review committee.

(d) The department shall allow voluntary and confidential reporting to the department of pregnancy-associated deaths and pregnancy-related deaths by family members of or other appropriate individuals associated with a deceased patient. The department shall:

(1) post on the department's Internet website the contact information for a report submitted under this subsection; and

(2) conduct outreach to local health organizations on the availability of the review committee to review and analyze the deaths.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.