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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to information regarding Down syndrome. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter W to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER W. INFORMATION REGARDING DOWN SYNDROME |
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Sec. 161.651. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Down syndrome" means a chromosomal condition |
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caused by the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of |
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chromosome 21. |
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(2) "Health care provider" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 34.001 and includes a genetic counselor. |
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Sec. 161.652. INFORMATION REGARDING DOWN SYNDROME. (a) A |
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health care provider that administers or causes to be administered |
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a test for Down syndrome shall, upon receiving a test result that is |
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positive for Down syndrome, provide the expectant or new parent |
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with educational information made available by the department under |
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subsection(c). |
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(b) Delivery of information prepared by the department in |
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accordance with subsection (c) at the time genetic results or |
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diagnostic conclusions are provided shall constitute compliance |
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with this section. |
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(c) The department shall make the following information |
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available on the department's publicly accessible Internet |
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website: |
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(1) information addressing physical, developmental, |
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educational, and psychosocial outcomes, life expectancy, clinical |
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course, and intellectual and functional development for |
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individuals with Down syndrome; |
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(2) information regarding available treatment options |
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for individuals with Down syndrome; |
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(3) contact information for national and local Down |
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syndrome education and support programs, including organizations |
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in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as other local |
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Down syndrome organizations in Texas; |
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(4) information hotlines and websites, resource |
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centers, and clearinghouses specific to Down syndrome; and |
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(4) any other information the department considers |
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necessary. |
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(d) The written information described by Subsection (c) |
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must be current, evidence-based information that has been reviewed |
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by medical experts and national Down syndrome organizations. |
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(e) The information described by Subsection (c) must be |
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published in English and Spanish. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |