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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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