This bill creates within the department of health ("department") the Tennessee maternal health equity advisory committee ("committee"). The committee is composed of 11 members appointed by the governor. In making appointments to the committee, the governor must strive to ensure that (i) members are appointed based on their demonstrated expertise, experience, and commitment to addressing maternal health disparities, with an emphasis on appointing members with experience working with grassroots or community organizations; (ii) appointees are representative of each grand division of this state, with representation of both urban and rural areas; and (iii) efforts are made to ensure that the unique needs and perspectives of minority women are represented by the membership. This bill provides that members serve a term of two years and that a member may serve multiple and consecutive terms. Vacancies on the committee are filled by appointment of the governor.
This bill requires the committee to meet quarterly at a time established by the chair of the committee. Special meetings of the committee for the transaction of business may be called by the chair by giving written notice to all members. The committee must hold its first meeting no later than September 30, 2024, at which the members must elect a member to serve as chair. Members of the committee receive no compensation for their work with or expenses incurred due to membership on the committee.
This bill provides that six members of the committee constitute a quorum, and all official actions of the committee require a quorum. Members must attend at least 50 percent of the required quarterly meetings. Members may attend meetings by virtual or remote means, as long as such means enable the members to hear and respond to other members in real time. If a committee member fails to attend meetings as required by this bill, then the chair must report that member's name and attendance record to the governor, and the governor must remove the member from the council and appoint a replacement member.
COMMITTEE DUTIES
This bill provides that the purpose of the committee is to systematically review maternal health data, identify disparities in maternal healthcare delivery, and formulate recommendations to the department aimed at enhancing maternal health outcomes, with a specific focus on minority women and women residing in urban and rural communities within this state. The committee must make recommendations to the department on its findings and submit the committee's report by December 31, 2024, and by December 31 of each year thereafter, to the governor, the chair of the health and welfare committee of the senate, the chair of the health committee of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian summarizing its findings and recommendations, which may include recommended legislative or regulatory changes, to the department for the calendar year.
SUNSET REVIEW
This bill places the committee in sunset review in 2026.
ON MARCH 14, 2024, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1832, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, add to the composition of the Tennessee maternal mortality review and prevention team four members appointed by the commissioner of health who are from community-based organizations and include the following:
(1) One member from the middle grand division of this state;
(2) One member from the eastern grand division of this state; and
(3) Two members from the western grand division of this state, including one member from Memphis; and one member from Jackson.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-29-247(a), 4-29-247
Amended with SA0639 -- 03/14/2024: 4-29-247(a), 4-29-247, 68-3-605(9), 68-3-605