Honorable David Swinford, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB709 by Puente (Relating to information regarding umbilical cord blood options.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to prepare a brochure regarding stem cells contained in umbilical cord blood. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) would be required to make the brochure available on its website and distribute it upon request to physicians or other persons permitted by law to attend a pregnant woman during gestation or at delivery of an infant. These health care providers would be required to provide pregnant women with the brochure and to permit the mother to arrange for umbilical cord blood storage or donation upon request of the mother unless donation threatens the health of the mother or the infant; exception for conflict with the provider's religious belief is made. Any cost to produce and distribute the brochure can be reasonably absorbed within the available resources of HHSC and DSHS.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of