By: Deuell S.B. No. 24

(In the Senate - Filed June 5, 2013; June 11, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; June 14, 2013, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 2; June 14, 2013, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to minimum standards for abortion facilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 245.010, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The rules must contain minimum standards to protect the health and safety of a patient of an abortion facility and must contain provisions requiring compliance with the requirements of Subchapter B, Chapter 171. On and after September 1, 2014, the minimum standards for an abortion facility must be equivalent to the minimum standards adopted under Section 243.010 for ambulatory surgical centers.

SECTION 2. Effective September 1, 2014, Subsection (c), Section 245.010, Health and Safety Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the standards required by Section 245.010, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, not later than January 1, 2014.

(b) A facility licensed under Chapter 245, Health and Safety Code, is not required to comply with the standards adopted under Section 245.010, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, before September 1, 2014.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.

* * * * *