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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an outreach campaign to promote fathers' involvement |
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with their children before birth. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 32, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 32.0211 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.0211. WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM OUTREACH |
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CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE FATHERS' INVOLVEMENT. (a) The attorney general |
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shall: |
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(1) develop and periodically update a publication that |
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describes the importance and long-term positive effects on children |
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of prenatal involvement of fathers, and provides guidance to |
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fathers on the positive actions they can take to support their |
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partner during pregnancy and the impact those actions have on |
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pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, the publication must include the |
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following topics: |
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(a) the steps necessary for unmarried parents to |
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establish legal paternity and the benefits of paternity |
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establishment for children; |
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(b) a worksheet to help fathers identify their |
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personal risk behaviors (such as smoking, substance abuse, and |
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unemployment), understand how those behaviors effect their |
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child(ren), and resources for making necessary lifestyle changes; |
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(c) information for fathers about the mother's |
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prenatal health including: emotional and physical changes expected |
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throughout pregnancy, nutritional needs and how to help her meet |
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them, explanation about prenatal visits such as what they are and |
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what to expect, and practical ways to support the mother throughout |
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pregnancy; |
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(d) information about the child's prenatal health |
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including: developmental stages, the importance of attending |
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prenatal visits, explanation of prenatal tests such as what they |
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are and what to expect, practical ways to contribute to healthy baby |
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outcomes, and things to do to get ready for the birth; |
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(e) basic infant care information, including: the |
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how-to's of dressing, diapering, bathing, consoling, and |
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stimulating; health and safety issues such as nutritional |
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information, sleep needs and expectations, baby-proofing a home, |
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and what to expect at the first well-child visits; and bonding and |
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attachment and how each relates to child development; |
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(f) healthy relationship and co-parenting |
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information, including: communication strategies, |
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conflict-resolution strategies, and problem-solving techniques for |
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co-parenting; expectations and realities for the couple (whether |
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romantically involved or not) during pregnancy and after the baby |
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arrives; understanding of the mother's circumstances and |
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responsibilities, and methods for supporting her; |
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(g) worksheets, activities, and exercises to aid |
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fathers and couples in exploring the following topics: their |
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personal ideas about fatherhood and the role of the father in the |
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family system; the immediate and long term benefits of father |
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involvement specific to their family; perceived barriers to father |
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involvement, and strategies for overcoming those barriers; and |
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(h) activities and projects for fathers that increase |
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understanding of child developmental stages and child health and |
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safety issues. |
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(2) make the publication described by Subdivision (1) |
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available to an agency, organization, or other entity that |
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contracts with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for |
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Women, Infants and Children and on the attorney general's Internet |
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website in a format that allows the public to download and print the |
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publication. |
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(b) An agency, organization, or other entity that contracts |
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with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants |
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and Children shall provide the publication described by Subsection |
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(a) to each pregnant woman receiving clinical or nutritional |
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services under the program and to the prospective father of her |
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child, if possible. |
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SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 32.0211(b), Health and |
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Safety Code, as added by this Act, an agency, organization, or other |
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entity providing services under the Special Supplemental Nutrition |
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Program for Women, Infants and Children is not required to comply |
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with that section until the attorney general makes the publication |
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available as described by Section 32.0211(a)(2), Health and Safety |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. |