HBA-MPM H.B. 391 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 391
By: Maxey
Public Health
2/23/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), epidemiologic
research indicates that human milk and breastfeeding of infants, including
those who are premature or sick, improves the infant's general health,
growth, and development, while significantly reducing risk for a large
number of acute and chronic diseases.  In some instances, a mother may not
be able to breastfeed her child, such as when the mother has used illegal
drugs or is taking certain prescription medications, or if the mother has
been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or another
disease.  When direct breastfeeding is not possible, the AAP recommends
providing expressed human milk. House Bill 391 requires the Health and
Human Services Commission to provide human donor milk to an infant who is
hospitalized if prescribed by a doctor. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 391 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Health and
Human Services Commission to provide donor human milk to a hospitalized
infant for whom the milk is prescribed by a physician. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.