SB 2150 by Kolkhorst

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Bill Summary. The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to allow voluntary and confidential reporting of pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths by family members and other appropriate individuals associated with a deceased patient. The bill would require DSHS to post the contact information for a report on the agency’s website and conduct outreach to local health organizations on the availability of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee to review and analyze the deaths.

The agency indicates the provisions of the bill can be implemented within existing resources.

Senator Kolkhorst explained the Committee Substitute. Congress passed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act in 2018, which made grants available to the states for the purpose of reviewing pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths in maternal mortality review committees. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has identified areas in which federal and state laws are not aligned to allow Texas to easily apply for these funds.

S.B. 2150 seeks to bring state law in alignment with federal law to allow Texas to apply for grant funding by adding a definition of “pregnancy-associated death,” changing the name of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force to the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, and allowing health care professionals and family members to report certain data to DSHS.

As proposed, S.B. 2150 amends current law relating to the reporting of certain information on maternal mortality to the Department of State Health Services.

TESTIMONY

Dr. Manda Hall DSHS (Resource). The Chair inquired about the delineation of pregnancy- vs non-pregnancy-related deaths in their records. Dr. Hall replied that it is one of the duties of the Task Force to determine whether or not the death was pregnancy-related. Their expertise comes into play when the cause of death is unclear. The Chair confirmed that the grant application is due in May and would require a passage that takes effect immediately. Dr. Hall confirmed.

Whitney Thurman, United Methodist Women Circle Up testified in support of the bill. She stated that data must be accurate to address public policy issues related to maternal deaths. The state should support strategies to address the death review process. The health of all mothers should be a priority of the state.

The Bill was left pending.