87R1067 JG-D
 
  By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 420
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a task force on maternal mortality
  in African American women.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. TASK FORCE ON MATERNAL MORTALITY IN
  AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
         Sec. 32.201.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"
  means the task force established by the executive commissioner
  under Section 32.202.
         Sec. 32.202.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. The executive
  commissioner shall establish a task force to:
               (1)  study maternal mortality rates for African
  American women and any related disparities; and
               (2)  develop and provide recommendations on improving
  maternal health outcomes among African American women.
         Sec. 32.203.  COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE; PRESIDING OFFICER;
  COMPENSATION. (a) The task force is composed of nine members
  appointed by the executive commissioner 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 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; and
               (6)  two individuals with relevant and appropriate
  expertise in maternal health.
         (b)  In making the appointments under Subsection (a)(1), the
  executive commissioner 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.
         (c)  The task force members shall elect a presiding officer
  from among the membership of the task force.
         (d)  The executive commissioner shall fill a vacancy on the
  task force by appointing a person who has the same qualifications as
  required for the original appointee.
         (e)  A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
  service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
  actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force
  duties authorized by the presiding officer, provided funding is
  available for that purpose.
         Sec. 32.204.  MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at
  least quarterly and at other times at the call of the presiding
  officer.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
  other law, the task force 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.
         Sec. 32.205.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The task force
  may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to carry out
  task force duties under this subchapter.
         Sec. 32.206.  BIENNIAL REPORTS; IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN
  RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) Not later than September 1 of each
  even-numbered year, the task force shall prepare and submit to each
  member of the legislature and the commission a report that:
               (1)  includes the results of the study conducted by the
  task force 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.
         Sec. 32.207.  APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
  Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
         Sec. 32.208.  TASK FORCE ABOLISHMENT; EXPIRATION OF
  SUBCHAPTER. The task force is abolished and this subchapter
  expires September 1, 2029.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than November 1, 2021, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  establish and appoint members to the task force on maternal
  mortality in African American women in accordance with Subchapter
  G, Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.