By:  McDonald                                         H.B. No. 2531
       73R3855 KLL-D
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to screening tests for the presence of alcohol or drugs in
    1-3  newborn children.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code,
    1-6  is amended by adding Section 33.0111 to read as follows:
    1-7        Sec. 33.0111.  SCREENING TEST FOR PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL OR
    1-8  DRUGS.  (a)  At the same time the screening tests are conducted
    1-9  under Section 33.011, the newborn child shall be subjected to a
   1-10  screening test for the presence of alcohol or drugs.
   1-11        (b)  If the results of a screening test conducted under
   1-12  Subsection (a) are found to be abnormal, the department shall refer
   1-13  the child to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the
   1-14  Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, and the
   1-15  Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention Services for
   1-16  follow-up services.
   1-17        SECTION 2.  The title of Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code,
   1-18  is amended to read as follows:
   1-19        CHAPTER 33.  NEWBORN SCREENING AND PROGRAM SERVICES FOR
   1-20        CERTAIN DISEASES AND CONDITIONS <PHENYLKETONURIA, OTHER>
   1-21                <HERITABLE DISEASES, AND HYPOTHYROIDISM>
   1-22        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-23  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-24  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-1  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    2-2  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
    2-3  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
    2-4  passage, and it is so enacted.