Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2150 by Kolkhorst (Relating to the reporting of certain information on maternal mortality to the Department of State Health Services and the confidentiality of that information.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to allow voluntary and confidential reporting of pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths by family members and other appropriate individuals associated with a deceased patient. The bill would require DSHS to post the contact information for who the reports are submitted to on the agency's website and conduct outreach to local health organizations on the availability of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee to review and analyze the deaths.
The bill would allow DSHS to accept gifts and grants to fund the duties of the agency and the review committee. The bill would also require DSHS only to use gifts, grants, or federal funds to reimburse travel or related activities for the review committee.
The bill would also amend the Special District Local Laws Code to allow the Midland County Hospital District to impose a sales and use tax.
DSHS indicates the provisions of the bill related to certain information on maternal mortality can be implemented within existing resources.
According to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the provisions of the bill related to the Midland County Hospital District adopting, changing the rate of or abolishing a sales and use tax, would have no fiscal impact on the state.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
According to Midland County, the provisions of the bill related to the Midland County Hospital District adopting, changing the rate of or abolishing a sales and use tax, are not anticipated to have a fiscal impact.