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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to discrimination by a health care provider based on |
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immunization status. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.0333 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.0333. DISCRIMINATION BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BASED |
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ON IMMUNIZATION STATUS. (a) A health care provider may not refuse |
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to provide health care services to a patient solely because a |
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patient has or has not received immunization for a particular |
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communicable disease. |
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(b) A health care provider that violates this section is not |
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eligible to receive money from the state for services provided to |
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patients, including under the medical assistance program under |
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Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, or under the state child health |
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plan under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2017. |