86R2094 JG-D
 
  By: Farrar H.B. No. 253
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a strategic plan to address postpartum depression.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 32.046 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.046.  POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION STRATEGIC PLAN. (a)  
  The executive commissioner shall develop and the department shall
  implement a five-year strategic plan to improve access to
  postpartum depression screening, referral, treatment, and support
  services.  Not later than September 1 of the last fiscal year in
  each five-year period, the executive commissioner shall develop a
  new strategic plan for the next five fiscal years beginning with the
  following fiscal year.
         (b)  The strategic plan must provide strategies to:
               (1)  increase awareness among state-administered
  program providers who may serve women who are at risk of or are
  experiencing postpartum depression about the prevalence and
  effects of postpartum depression on outcomes for women and
  children;
               (2)  establish a referral network of community-based
  mental health providers and support services addressing postpartum
  depression;
               (3)  increase women's access to formal and informal
  peer support services, including access to certified peer
  specialists who have received additional training related to
  postpartum depression;
               (4)  raise public awareness of and reduce the stigma
  related to postpartum depression; and
               (5)  leverage sources of funding to support existing
  community-based postpartum depression screening, referral,
  treatment, and support services.
         (c)  The executive commissioner shall coordinate with the
  statewide health coordinating council, the office of mental health
  coordination, and the statewide behavioral health coordinating
  council in developing the strategic plan.
         (d)  The executive commissioner, in consultation with the
  statewide health coordinating council, the office of mental health
  coordination, and the statewide behavioral health coordinating
  council, shall annually review and update, as necessary, the
  strategic plan.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2020, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  develop the initial strategic plan required by Section 32.046,
  Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         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, 2019.