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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the services provided under the alternatives to |
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abortion program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 54 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 54. ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION PROGRAM |
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Sec. 54.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "alternatives to |
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abortion program" means the program established by the commission |
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to enhance and increase resources that promote childbirth for women |
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facing unplanned pregnancy. |
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Sec. 54.002. PATIENT NAVIGATOR SERVICES FOR CERTAIN |
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EXPECTANT PARENTS. (a) The alternatives to abortion program must |
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provide access to a third-party patient navigator for expectant |
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mothers and fathers who receive a prenatal diagnosis for their |
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unborn child of a significant fetal anomaly, rare disorder, or |
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other chronic, medically complex disability or condition. |
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(b) A third-party patient navigator who provides services |
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under the alternatives to abortion program shall: |
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(1) connect expectant parents with support and |
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advocacy groups specific to the fetal diagnosis for their child; |
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and |
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(2) assist expectant parents with applying for home- |
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and community-based medical care, support, and services for their |
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child. |
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Sec. 54.003. NURSING FACILITY DIVERSION. (a) The |
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alternatives to abortion program must provide nursing facility |
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diversion space to allow immediate access to the medically |
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dependent children (MDCP) waiver program for children born with a |
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rare disorder or other chronic, medically complex disability or |
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condition. |
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(b) An expectant mother or father may apply for access to a |
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nursing facility diversion space described by Subsection (a) before |
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or after the child's birth. |
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Sec. 54.004. RULES. The executive commissioner shall adopt |
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rules as necessary to implement this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |