Bill orders a study of maternal deaths among Black women

The text as introduced · 504 words

89R2825 JDK-D

By: Ward Johnson
H.B. No. 3339

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.