HB 286 — A study on maternal mortality

90R4387 JDB-D By: Ward Johnson H.B. No. 286 relating to a study on maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women in this state.

SECTION 1. (a) In this section: (1) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services. (2) "Review committee" means the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee established under Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code. (b) The review committee and the department shall jointly conduct a study to evaluate maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women in this state. In conducting the study, the review committee and department shall: (1) compare maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women in this state to maternal mortality and morbidity rates among each other race and ethnicity; (2) compare maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women in this state in relation to their socioeconomic status and education level; (3) assess the impact of social determinants of health, including an evaluation of data on pregnancy-related deaths, pregnancy-related complications almost resulting in death, and morbidities, to identify any correlation in that data to women who are uninsured, receive health care coverage under Medicaid, or receive health care coverage through a private health benefit plan issuer; (4) evaluate the impact of the following health conditions on maternal mortality and morbidity: (A) cardiac health conditions; (B) preeclampsia, eclampsia, and other hypertensive disorders; (C) hemorrhage; (D) obesity; and (E) stress-related health conditions; and (5) assess the effect of implicit biases held by health care providers against Black individuals on maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women. (c) Based on the results of the study conducted under this section, the review committee and department shall develop recommendations to address disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women, including recommendations on: (1) strategies to reduce the incidence of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity; (2) patient outreach and education; (3) health care provider training, including a recommendation on the potential benefit of training on cultural competency and implicit biases against Black individuals; (4) best practices identified as successful in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity; and (5) the implementation in this state of programs operating in other states that have reduced maternal mortality and morbidity rates. (d) Not later than September 1, 2028, the review committee and department shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature a written report summarizing the results of the study and including the recommendations developed under this section. The report may be consolidated with the biennial report required under Section 34.015, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 2. This Act expires December 31, 2028.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2027.