85R20659 DMS-D     By: Thierry, Thompson of Harris, H.B. No. 2403       Johnson of Dallas, Coleman, Walle,         et al.     Substitute the following for H.B.        A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study concerning maternal mortality and morbidity in   the state's African American population.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, is amended by   adding Section 34.0175 to read as follows:          Sec. 34.0175.  STUDY ON MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY   AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION; REPORT.  (a)  The task force and   the department shall conduct a study to evaluate the causes of   maternal mortality and morbidity in the state's African American   population. The study must evaluate health conditions and factors   that disproportionately affect the African American population,   including:                (1)  cardiac health conditions;                (2)  preeclampsia, eclampsia, and other hypertensive   disorders;                (3)  obesity; and                (4)  stress-related health factors.          (b)  The study must compare rates of maternal mortality and   morbidity based on the socioeconomic status of the mother.          (c)  At the conclusion of the study, the task force and the   department shall develop recommendations on:                (1)  reducing the incidence of pregnancy-related   deaths and severe maternal morbidity;                (2)  patient outreach and education;                (3)  health care provider training;                (4)  best practices that have been identified as   successful in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity; and                (5)  programs operating in other states that have   reduced maternal mortality and morbidity rates.          (d)  The task force and the department shall prepare a   written report that summarizes the study's findings and the task   force's recommendations to be submitted not later than September 1,   2022.  This report is in addition to the biennial report required   under Section 34.015.          (e)  The biennial report required under Section 34.015   submitted in 2018 and the report submitted in 2020 must include   trends identified in conducting the study required under this   section that highlight differences affecting the state's African   American population compared to other populations related to   maternal mortality and morbidity.  This section expires September   1, 2021.          SECTION 2.  Section 34.018, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 34.018.  SUNSET PROVISION.  The task force is subject   to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act).  Unless   continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the task force   is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2023 [2019].          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, 2017.