H.B. No. 4553, also known as Malik's Law, mandates that licensed midwives in Texas report birth outcomes to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation within ten days of attending any birth in non-hospital settings. This reporting requirement applies to all births attended by midwives, regardless of the outcome, including cases of maternal or newborn transfer to hospitals, intrapartum deaths, or unforeseen medical circumstances. The bill outlines specific contents that must be included in the Birth & Outcomes Report, such as midwife information, birth details, complications, hospital transfers, and survival status. Additionally, it requires that if multiple midwives are present, all must co-sign the report.

The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance, including written warnings, fines, and potential license suspension for repeated offenses. It allows for random audits of the reports by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to ensure accuracy and compliance. Furthermore, the bill grants rulemaking authority to the Executive Commissioner of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the DSHS to implement necessary regulations, including the collection of out-of-hospital birth statistics and protocols for investigating noncompliance. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 203.154 (Occupations Code 203)