BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1373

By: Davis, Sarah

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties believe that the inability of certain unmarried teenage mothers to lawfully consent to medical treatment related to contraception is concerning in light of the current rate of repeat teenage pregnancy in Texas. H.B. 1373 seeks to reduce the number of repeat teenage pregnancies by authorizing certain unmarried mothers to consent to examination or medical treatment, other than abortion, related to contraception.

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

H.B. 1373 amends the Family Code to include as a child who may consent to medical, dental, psychological, and surgical treatment for the child by a licensed physician or dentist a child who is unmarried, is the mother of a child, and consents to examination or medical treatment, other than abortion, related to contraception. The bill defines "contraception" as any method of preventing pregnancy that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.