86R10459 JG-F
 
  By: Powell S.B. No. 2301
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the maternal peer support pilot program for perinatal
  mood disorder.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. MATERNAL PEER SUPPORT PILOT PROGRAM
         Sec. 32.101.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "pilot
  program" means the maternal peer support pilot program established
  under this subchapter.
         Sec. 32.102.  ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The
  commission shall establish and operate the maternal peer support
  pilot program to reduce the risk and manage the effects of perinatal
  mood disorders in women through the delivery of peer support
  services at federally qualified health centers located in the
  geographic areas in which the pilot program operates.
         (b)  The commission shall establish the pilot program in
  three counties in this state that:
               (1)  either:
                     (A)  are within an area designated as a mental
  health professional shortage area; or
                     (B)  have high rates of maternal mortality and
  morbidity as determined by the commission in consultation with the
  Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force established under
  Chapter 34; and
               (2)  include at least one rural county and one county
  with a population of at least one million.
         Sec. 32.103.  OPERATION OF PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In
  establishing the pilot program, the commission shall:
               (1)  develop a strategy for federally qualified health
  centers participating in the pilot program and persons responsible
  for training to collaborate on the training, certification, and
  guidance of peer support specialists;
               (2)  seek comments regarding best practices for the
  design and implementation of the pilot program from relevant
  interested persons, including mental health care providers, local
  mental health authorities, certified peer support specialists and
  affiliated organizations, women's health care providers, and
  individuals who have personal experience with perinatal mood
  disorders;
               (3)  develop specialized training to:
                     (A)  identify and treat symptoms of perinatal mood
  disorders; and
                     (B)  provide peer support services to pregnant
  women and new mothers;
               (4)  develop a strategy for peer support specialists
  participating in the pilot program to provide peer support services
  through telemedicine or telehealth services;
               (5)  collaborate with federally qualified health
  centers participating in the pilot program to integrate the
  delivery of peer support services with the health care services
  provided by the centers to women during pregnancy and within one
  year of giving birth;
               (6)  create a protocol for referring to peer support
  services women who are diagnosed as having or identified as being at
  risk of developing a perinatal mood disorder;
               (7)  ensure that services provided by peer support
  specialists under the pilot program are within the scope of a
  practice of care prescribed by commission rule for peer support
  specialists who provide similar services; and
               (8)  develop a method for collecting data on:
                     (A)  maternal health and mental health outcomes;
  and
                     (B)  substance use by women receiving peer support
  services through the pilot program.
         (b)  A peer support specialist who provides peer support
  services through the pilot program shall:
               (1)  provide peer support services to women who:
                     (A)  based on the results of a postpartum
  depression screening or other screening tool, are diagnosed as
  having or identified as being at risk of developing a perinatal mood
  disorder; and
                     (B)  are interested in receiving peer support
  services; and
               (2)  through the use of the specialist's personal
  experience with perinatal mood disorders:
                     (A)  provide guidance to the women;
                     (B)  if necessary, advocate for the women to
  receive mental health care services or other specialized health
  care services; and
                     (C)  provide the women with information on mental
  health care resources as necessary.
         Sec. 32.104.  FUNDING. In addition to money appropriated by
  the legislature, the commission may accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any source for the purpose of establishing the pilot
  program and compensating peer support specialists under the pilot
  program.
         Sec. 32.105.  REPORT. Not later than January 1, 2021, the
  commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant
  governor, and legislature a written report that:
               (1)  evaluates the success of the pilot program in
  reducing perinatal mood disorders and substance use in women who
  received peer support services under the pilot program; and
               (2)  recommends whether the pilot program should be
  continued, expanded, or terminated.
         Sec. 32.106.  EXPIRATION. This chapter expires September 1,
  2023.
         SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than December 31, 2019, the
  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
  shall adopt rules as necessary to establish the pilot program as
  required by Subchapter E, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than June 31, 2020, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall establish the pilot program as required
  by Subchapter E, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as added by
  this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.