Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB749 by Kolkhorst (Relating to level of care designations for hospitals that provide neonatal and maternal care.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in consultation with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), to adopt additional rules relating to level of care designations for hospitals that provide neonatal and maternal care.
The bill would repeal the provision abolishing the Perinatal Advisory Council on September 1, 2025, and require the Sunset Advisory Commission to review the Perinatal Advisory Council during the period in which DSHS is reviewed. DSHS and the Sunset Advisory Commission assume that the agencies could support this strategic review process using existing staff.
The bill would require DSHS, in consultation with the Perinatal Advisory Council, to conduct a strategic review of the practical implementation of current rules relating to hospital level of care designations for neonatal and maternal care. Based on the review, DSHS would be required to recommend a modification of these rules as appropriate. The bill would also require DSHS to submit two reports to the Legislature relating to its review of neonatal and maternal care rules. DSHS indicates it could absorb the costs associated with the bill within its current resources.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, the bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of