89R12587 LRM-D     By: Pierson H.B. No. 5277       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 voluntary   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 voluntary termination of pregnancy;                      (B)  trends, rates, or disparities in   pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity, including   deaths and severe maternal morbidity related to voluntary   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 34.013, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 34.013.  INAPPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.  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.          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.