By: Nelson  S.B. No. 590
         (In the Senate - Filed February 13, 2007; February 26, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
  Services; March 12, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable
  Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0;
  March 12, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 590 By:  Nelson
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to a designated agent's access to a principal's medical and
  health care information.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 166, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 166.1641 to read as follows:
         Sec. 166.1641.  AUTHORITY OF AN AGENT PRIOR TO A COMPETENCY
  DETERMINATION.  To ensure appropriate access to medical and health
  care information under the federal Health Insurance Portability and
  Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) and its
  accompanying regulations, prior to a determination of competency
  under Section 166.152, the person named as an agent in a medical
  power of attorney is a personal representative for the purpose of
  reviewing or determining the patient's competency.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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