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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to signs required to be displayed at certain facilities |
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that perform abortions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 171, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 171.0125 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 171.0125. REQUIRED SIGNS AT CERTAIN FACILITIES: |
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AVAILABLE RESOURCES. (a) An ambulatory surgical center licensed |
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under Chapter 243 that performs more than 50 abortions in any |
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12-month period or an abortion facility licensed under Chapter 245 |
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shall conspicuously display signs that satisfy the requirements of |
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this section in each patient admission area, waiting room, |
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restroom, and patient consulting room. |
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(b) The signs required by this section must contain the |
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following information: |
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(1) a woman cannot be forced to have an abortion |
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against her will, regardless of her age; |
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(2) if a woman is being forced to have an abortion or |
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being abused, the state is able to help the woman; and |
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(3) human trafficking, including sex trafficking, is a |
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violation of state law. |
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(c) The signs required by this section must also contain a |
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phone number for the Department of Public Safety and a toll-free |
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phone number of a nationally recognized information and referral |
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hotline for victims of human trafficking. |
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(d) The signs required by this section may not contain any |
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information other than the information described by Subsections (b) |
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and (c). |
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(e) The signs required by this section must each be at least |
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11 inches in width and 17 inches in length. |
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(f) A facility described by Subsection (a) shall post a sign |
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required by this section in English and a sign in Spanish. If the |
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facility is located in a political subdivision that is required to |
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provide election materials in a language other than English or |
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Spanish under Section 272.011, Election Code, the facility shall |
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also post a sign in that language. |
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(g) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules as |
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necessary to implement and enforce this section. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2015, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 171.0125, Health and |
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Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. An ambulatory surgical center or abortion |
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facility is not required to comply with Section 171.0125, Health |
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and Safety Code, as added by this Act, before January 1, 2016. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |