BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 713

By: Howard

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee is unique in the way it collects and analyzes data compared to other states because it has to take an extra step of redacting all maternal mortality records before they are reviewed by the nurses collecting the data. The bill author has informed the committee that while the purpose of the redaction is to provide the nurses who review these cases an exemption from reporting conduct under the Nursing Practice Act, this additional step has caused significant delay in the preparation of the report and contributed to the delay in review years. H.B. 713 seeks to allow nurses to review unredacted materials related to maternal mortality and morbidity cases by establishing a limited exemption from professional reporting requirements.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 713 amends the Health and Safety Code to exempt a health care provider, including a nurse, from the requirement to report certain conduct related to the provider's profession if the provider learns of the conduct during the review of information relevant to a case selected for review under statutory provisions governing the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.