BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3336

By: Coleman

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Since the widespread use of a vaccine in the early twentieth century, reported cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough or the killer cough, have decreased by over 80 percent. However, the disease is still especially dangerous to newborns and infants, who are too young to be immunized. Recently, there have been reports of localized outbreaks, and the number of reported cases of pertussis has begun to increase. To address this increase, H.B. 3336 requires certain persons and entities that provide prenatal care to a pregnant woman during gestation or at delivery to provide the parents of the infant with a resource pamphlet that includes educational information in both English and Spanish on pertussis disease and the availability of a vaccine to protect against pertussis.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3336 amends the Health and Safety Code to include, in the contents of the resource pamphlet required to be provided to the woman and the father of an infant, if possible, or another adult caregiver for the infant by a hospital, birthing center, physician, nurse midwife, or midwife who provides prenatal care to a pregnant woman during gestation or at delivery of an infant, educational information in both English and Spanish on pertussis disease and the availability of a vaccine to protect against pertussis, including information on the Centers for Disease Control recommendation that parents receive Tdap during the post-partum period to protect newborns from the transmission of pertussis.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.