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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to consultations with contracted physician networks and |
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physician systems during certain investigations of child abuse and |
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neglect. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 261.3017 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 261.3017. CONSULTATION WITH PHYSICIAN NETWORKS AND |
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SYSTEMS REGARDING CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. (a) In this |
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section: |
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(1) "Network" means the Forensic Assessment Center |
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Network. |
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(2) "System" means the entities that receive grants |
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under the Texas Medical Child Abuse Resources and Education System |
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(MEDCARES) authorized by Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code. |
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(b) Any agreement between the department and the network or |
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between |
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the Department of State Health Services and the system to |
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provide assistance in connection with abuse and neglect |
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investigations conducted by the department must require the network |
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and the system to have the ability to obtain consultations with |
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physicians, including radiologists, geneticists, and |
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endocrinologists, who specialize in identifying unique health |
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conditions, including: |
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(1) rickets; |
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(2) Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; |
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(3) osteogenesis imperfecta; |
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(4) vitamin D deficiency; and |
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(5) other similar metabolic bone diseases or |
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connective tissue disorders. |
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(c) In providing assessments to the department as provided |
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by Subsection (b), the network and the system must use a blind peer |
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review process to resolve cases where physicians in the network or |
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system disagree in the assessment of the causes of a child's |
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injuries or in the presence of a condition listed under Subsection |
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(b). |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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an agreement entered into or renewed on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |