By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 864
(In the Senate - Filed March 4, 2003; March 10, 2003, read
first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
April 9, 2003, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7,
Nays 0; April 9, 2003, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the promotion of breast-feeding.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 165, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 165.0035 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.0035. PHYSICIAN DESIGNATION AS "BREAST-FEEDING
FRIENDLY." (a) A physician licensed to practice in this state may
use the designation "breast-feeding friendly" in promotional
materials if the physician develops a policy supporting
breast-feeding. The policy must require the physician to:
(1) provide breast-feeding training for the
physician's staff who provide health care services to patients;
(2) encourage pregnant women to breast-feed their
children after birth;
(3) provide breast-feeding information and materials
to pregnant women and mothers with infants;
(4) provide information on local breast-feeding
support groups to pregnant women and mothers with infants; and
(5) provide breast-feeding consultations to mothers
with infants and contact the mothers by telephone to provide
breast-feeding information and assistance.
(b) The physician must submit the physician's
breast-feeding policy to the department. The department shall
maintain a list of "breast-feeding friendly" physicians covered
under this section and shall make the list available for public
inspection at the department and on the Internet.
(c) The department shall publicize the program to all
obstetricians, pediatricians, family practice physicians, and
general practice physicians who are licensed in this state.
SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Health shall develop and
make available the list required by Section 165.0035, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2004.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
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