bill adds miscarriage deaths to the maternal mortality committee’s work

The text as introduced · 428 words

89R4709 AB-D

By: Menéndez
S.B. No. 737

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the duties of the Texas Maternal Mortality and

Morbidity Review Committee and the collection, maintenance, and

disclosure of maternal health records regarding miscarriage and

lack of access to therapeutic termination of pregnancy.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 34.005, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 34.005. DUTIES OF REVIEW COMMITTEE. The review

committee shall:

(1) study and review:

(A) cases of pregnancy-related deaths , including

deaths related to miscarriage or threatened miscarriage or

attributable to lack of access to therapeutic termination of

pregnancy ;

(B) trends, rates, or disparities in

pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity , including

severe maternal morbidity related to miscarriage or threatened

miscarriage or attributable to lack of access to therapeutic

termination of pregnancy ;

(C) health conditions and factors that

disproportionately affect the most at-risk population as

determined in the joint biennial report required under Section

34.015; and

(D) best practices and programs operating in

other states that have reduced rates of pregnancy-related deaths;

(2) compare rates of pregnancy-related deaths based on

the socioeconomic status of the mother;

(3) determine the feasibility of the review committee

studying cases of severe maternal morbidity; and

(4) in consultation with the Perinatal Advisory

Council, make recommendations to help reduce the incidence of

pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in this

state.

SECTION 2. Section 34.007, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) In addition to the data required under Subsection (b)

and cases selected under Subsection (c), the department shall

aggregate and submit to the review committee data regarding cases

of death and severe maternal morbidity:

(1) related to miscarriage or threatened miscarriage;

or

(2) attributable to lack of access to therapeutic

termination of pregnancy.

SECTION 3. Section 34.013, Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 34.013. INAPPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. (a) Except as

provided by Subsection (b), this [ This ] chapter does not apply to

disclosure of records pertaining to voluntary or therapeutic

termination of pregnancy, and those records may not be collected,

maintained, or disclosed under this chapter.

(b) Records on cases of deaths or severe maternal morbidity

related to miscarriage or threatened miscarriage or attributable to

lack of access to therapeutic termination of pregnancy may be

collected, maintained, and disclosed for purposes of this chapter

and subject to the requirements of this chapter.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.