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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to information regarding fetal alcohol spectrum |
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disorders. |
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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 X to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER X. INFORMATION REGARDING FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM |
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DISORDERS |
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Sec. 161.701. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder" means one of a |
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group of conditions that can occur in a person who is exposed to |
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alcohol in utero. |
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(2) "Health care provider" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 34.001. |
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Sec. 161.702. DUTY OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. (a) At the |
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time of initial contact, a health care provider who provides care to |
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an expectant mother or who initially diagnoses a child with a fetal |
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alcohol spectrum disorder shall provide information regarding |
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fetal alcohol spectrum disorders to: |
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(1) expectant parents; or |
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(2) a parent of a child who receives a diagnosis of a |
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fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. |
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(b) The information described by Subsection (a) must be |
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current and evidence-based and must have been reviewed by medical |
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experts and state or national fetal alcohol spectrum disorder |
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organizations. |
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(c) Notwithstanding any other law, this section does not |
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impose a standard of care or create an obligation or duty that |
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provides a basis for a cause of action against a health care |
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provider. A health care provider may not be held civilly or |
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criminally liable for failing to provide information as required by |
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Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |