73R10127 CBH-F By Krusee H.B. No. 1799 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1799: By Berlanga C.S.H.B. No. 1799 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the authority of the state to provide certain genetic 1-3 counseling and testing services. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 12, Health and Safety Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 12.017 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 12.017. GENETIC COUNSELING. The department may not 1-8 provide genetic counseling, testing, or related services to or 1-9 through any private health care provider or to a private payor, 1-10 such as a health insurance company or health maintenance 1-11 organization, and shall otherwise strive to provide those services 1-12 only to persons who cannot obtain those services from the private 1-13 sector. This section does not in any way restrict the testing 1-14 services provided by the department's newborn screening program on 1-15 September 1, 1993, nor does it restrict any state-funded university 1-16 from providing genetic services that maintain or increase the 1-17 proficiency of the teaching staff or provide learning opportunities 1-18 for students or research information. 1-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1993. 1-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.