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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to newborn hearing screening. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 47.003(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A birthing facility, through a program certified by the |
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department under Section 47.004, shall perform, either directly or |
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through a referral to another program certified under that section |
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[transfer agreement], a hearing screening for the identification of |
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hearing loss on each newborn or infant born at the facility before |
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the newborn or infant is discharged from the facility unless: |
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(1) the parent declines the screening; |
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(2) the newborn or infant is transferred to another |
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facility before the screening is performed; [or] |
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(3) the screening has previously been completed; or |
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(4) the newborn was discharged from the birthing |
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facility not more than 10 hours after birth and a referral for the |
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newborn was made to a program certified under Section 47.004 at |
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another birthing facility or operated by a physician or other |
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health care provider. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2013. |