HB3339 - Relating to a study on maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women in this state.

  89R2825 JDK-D     By: Ward Johnson, Reynolds, Simmons, H.B. No. 3339       Jones of Harris, Rose, et al.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on maternal mortality and morbidity among Black   women in this state.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          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 on maternal mortality and   morbidity among Black women of implicit biases held by health care   providers against Black individuals.          (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, 2026, 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, 2026.          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, 2025.