TX HB5242

Requires the Health and Human Services Commission and related agencies to collect detailed race and ethnic origin data from public benefits program recipients, offering 7 main categories (American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/North African, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and White) with specific subcategories and write-in options

Mandates collection of additional health-related data including English proficiency, disability status, health insurance coverage, chronic conditions, mental health diagnoses, pregnancy status, pregnancy-related deaths, and infant mortality

Requires the commission to conduct cross-tabulation analysis of demographic and health data, then publish results annually on its website in an easy-to-read format organized by category and subcategory

Provides that demographic data collection is voluntary for individuals, and all published data must comply with federal and state privacy laws and cannot identify individuals

Establishes implementation deadline of January 1, 2028 for agencies to revise data collection forms and publish metric data, with the act taking effect September 1, 2025