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Bill

HB 37

Relating to perinatal bereavement care provided by certain hospitals, a perinatal bereavement care initiative, and a perinatal bereavement care hospital recognition program.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 59 co-sponsors

Texas requires hospitals to establish standardized perinatal bereavement care protocols and creates a voluntary recognition program for facilities meeting care standards for families experiencing pregnancy loss.

Effective on 9/1/25
#everly'slaw(p85h5) #health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #health--general(i0385) #hospitals(i0400) #perinataladvisorycouncil(v1205) #pregnancy&childbirth(s0294) #statehealthservices #departmentof(v0463) #statefinances--management&control(i0748)
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Bill Summary · HB 37

Legislative bill overview

HB 37 establishes standardized perinatal bereavement care protocols for Texas hospitals and creates a recognition program for facilities that meet bereavement care standards. The bill requires certain hospitals to provide consistent support services to families experiencing pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death, and implements a voluntary certification program to recognize hospitals meeting these care standards.

Why is this important

Perinatal loss affects thousands of Texas families annually, yet hospital responses to bereavement have historically been inconsistent and sometimes inadequate. Standardizing care protocols ensures families receive compassionate, evidence-based support during one of life's most traumatic experiences, while the recognition program incentivizes hospitals to improve their bereavement services and allows families to identify hospitals with quality perinatal loss support.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Hospitals must develop new protocols and train staff, creating potential financial burden particularly for smaller or rural facilities
  • Scope and mandates: Questions about which hospitals are covered, what specific services are required, and whether requirements are flexible enough for different hospital types and capacities
  • Effectiveness measurement: Uncertainty about how "quality" perinatal bereavement care is measured and whether the recognition program creates meaningful differentiation or is largely voluntary/symbolic

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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