BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1128

By: Zaffirini

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a pregnant woman is tested for syphilis at her first prenatal visit and at delivery. However, it is recommended that in communities where rates of congenital syphilis are high, a pregnant woman should also be tested for syphilis in the third trimester of her pregnancy. Reports indicate that Texas has one of the highest rates of congenital syphilis in the country. Because the cost of treating syphilis in utero is less expensive than after birth and treating syphilis in utero can prevent physical and mental challenges to a child, interested parties contend that Texas should require syphilis testing during the third trimester. S.B. 1128 seeks to address these issues. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

S.B. 1128 amends the Health and Safety Code to change the point in time at which the second diagnostic test of a pregnant woman for syphilis is required to be performed from on admission for delivery to in the third trimester of pregnancy. The bill applies to syphilis the requirements for subsequent testing for a disease for which testing should have been performed during the third trimester of pregnancy if the results of such testing are not found in the woman's medical records or if required testing is not performed before delivery.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.