The bill amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to enhance the responsibilities of the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. Specifically, it expands the committee's duties to include the study and review of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity, explicitly incorporating cases related to voluntary termination of pregnancy. The committee is tasked with analyzing trends and disparities in these cases, as well as identifying health conditions that disproportionately affect at-risk populations. Additionally, the committee is required to consult with the Perinatal Advisory Council to develop recommendations aimed at reducing pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in Texas.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the existing provisions regarding the disclosure of maternal health records. It removes the previous exclusion of records related to voluntary termination of pregnancy from being collected, maintained, or disclosed under the chapter, thereby allowing for greater oversight and analysis of these cases. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 34.005, Health and Safety Code 34.013 (Health and Safety Code 34)