HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
COMMITTEE: Public Health
TIME & DATE: 9:00 AM, Thursday, August 20, 2026
PLACE: E2.030
CHAIR: Rep. Gary VanDeaver
The Committee on Public Health will hear invited testimony only on the following interim charges:
Social Media’s Impact on Youth Health and Well-Being: Study the impact of social media platforms and artificial intelligence technologies on the mental health, cognitive development, and behavioral well-being of minors in Texas.
Infant Mortality Prevention: Study infant mortality rates in Texas. Consider evidencebased prevention strategies and make recommendations to reduce preventable infant deaths. Examine interventions, including coordinated infant mortality prevention infrastructure addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death(SUID),and complications from preterm birth and low birthweight.
Artificial Intelligence Use in Health Care: Study the use of artificial intelligence in the health care system to improve access, quality, and efficiency of care, while evaluating potential risks to patient safety, privacy, and access to care for Texans.
Public Health Trends and Prevention: Review current data on communicable diseases and emerging public health threats in Texas. Examine strategies to address rising rates of chronic diseases. Evaluate effective interventions for substance use disorders. Study opportunities to reduce morbidity and mortality among Texans.
Online submission of public comments will be available on the following topics:
Social Media's Impact on Youth Health and Well-Being
Infant Mortality Prevention
Artificial Intelligence Use in Health Care
Public Health Trends and Prevention
For those persons who will be testifying, information for in-person witness registration, can be found here: https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx
A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here: https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/
Instructions related to public access to the meeting location are available here: https://house.texas.gov/committees/public-access-house-committee-meetings/
Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to
agenda items on this notice without testifying in person can do so until
the hearing is adjourned by visiting:
https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c410
NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact Stacey Nicchio at (512) 463-0850, 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.