87S10901 JG-D
 
  By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 259
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of subcommittees within the Texas
  Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee to study maternal
  mortality.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Sections 34.022, 34.023, and 34.024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 34.022.  SUBCOMMITTEE ON MATERNAL HEALTH DISPARITIES.
  (a) In this section, "subcommittee" means the subcommittee on
  maternal health disparities established under this section.
         (b)  The department and the review committee shall
  establish, within the review committee, a subcommittee on maternal
  health disparities to:
               (1)  study maternal mortality rates among women in this
  state; and
               (2)  develop and provide recommendations to the
  department and the review committee on improving maternal health
  outcomes.
         (c)  The subcommittee is composed of a number of members who
  meet appropriate qualifications as determined by the department and
  review committee.
         (d)  A member of the subcommittee serves at the pleasure of
  the department and the review committee.
         (e)  The members of the subcommittee shall elect a presiding
  officer from among the membership of the subcommittee.
         (f)  The subcommittee may accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any source to carry out the subcommittee's duties
  imposed under this section.
         (g)  The subcommittee is abolished and this section expires
  September 1, 2031.
         Sec. 34.023.  SUBCOMMITTEE ON MATERNAL HEALTH DISPARITIES
  FOR BLACK WOMEN. (a) In this section, "subcommittee" means the
  subcommittee on maternal health disparities for black women
  established under this section.
         (b)  The department and the review committee shall
  establish, within the review committee, a subcommittee on maternal
  health disparities for black women to:
               (1)  study maternal mortality rates for black women in
  this state and any related disparities; and
               (2)  develop and provide recommendations to the
  department and the review committee on improving maternal health
  outcomes among black women in this state.
         (c)  The subcommittee is composed of 11 members appointed by
  the department and the review committee as follows:
               (1)  three licensed obstetricians or gynecologists
  certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, each
  with 15 or more years of experience in either field and a patient
  base consisting of not less than 25 percent of individuals who are
  members of a racial minority;
               (2)  one primary care physician with 15 or more years of
  experience in that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
               (3)  one surgeon with 15 or more years of experience in
  that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
               (4)  one anesthesiologist with 15 or more years of
  experience in that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
               (5)  one licensed mental health professional with 15 or
  more years of experience in that field and whose expertise is in
  postpartum depression;
               (6)  one neonatologist;
               (7)  one perinatologist; and
               (8)  two individuals with relevant and appropriate
  expertise in maternal health.
         (d)  In making the appointments under Subsection (c)(1), the
  department and the review committee shall ensure:
               (1)  one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
  10 or more years of experience specializing in the field of
  neonatology;
               (2)  one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
  10 or more years of experience specializing in the field of
  perinatology; and
               (3)  one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
  experience working at a community hospital as an obstetrician or
  gynecologist for less than nine years.
         (e)  The members of the subcommittee shall elect a presiding
  officer from among the membership of the subcommittee.
         (f)  The department and the review committee shall fill a
  vacancy on the subcommittee by appointing a person who has the same
  qualifications as required for the original appointee.
         (g)  A member of the subcommittee is not entitled to
  compensation for service on the subcommittee but is entitled to
  reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in
  performing subcommittee duties authorized by the presiding
  officer, provided funding is available for that purpose.
         (h)  The subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly and at
  other times at the call of the presiding officer.
         (i)  Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
  other law, the subcommittee may meet by telephone conference call,
  videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A
  meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
  other similar telecommunication method is subject to the
  requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government
  Code.
         (j)  The subcommittee may accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any source to carry out the subcommittee duties
  imposed under this section.
         (k)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  subcommittee established under this section.
         (l)  The subcommittee established under this section and
  this section expire on September 1, 2031.
         Sec. 34.024.  BIENNIAL REPORTS; IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN
  RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) Not later than September 1 of each
  even-numbered year, the subcommittees established under Sections
  34.022 and 34.023 shall each prepare and submit to each member of
  the legislature, the department, and the review committee a report
  that:
               (1)  includes the results of the study conducted by
  each subcommittee and recommendations for legislative or
  regulatory action based on those results; and
               (2)  examines and considers any trends or changes in
  maternal health.
         (b)  To the extent permitted by law and as the executive
  commissioner determines appropriate, the commission shall
  implement any regulatory recommendations included in a report under
  this section that are within the commission's prescribed authority.
         (c)  This section expires September 1, 2031.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than February 1, 2022, the Department
  of State Health Services and the Texas Maternal Mortality and
  Morbidity Review Committee established under Chapter 34, Health and
  Safety Code, shall establish and appoint members to the
  subcommittees as required under Sections 34.022 and 34.023, Health
  and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect December 1, 2021.