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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to information regarding autism spectrum 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 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS |
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Sec. 161.701. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Autism spectrum disorder" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 1355.001, Insurance Code. |
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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. INFORMATION REGARDING AUTISM SPECTRUM |
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DISORDERS. (a) The department shall make available information |
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regarding autism spectrum disorders that includes: |
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(1) information addressing physical, developmental, |
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educational, and psychosocial outcomes, behavioral safety |
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concerns, life expectancy, clinical course, and intellectual and |
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functional development for individuals with an autism spectrum |
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disorder; |
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(2) information regarding available treatment options |
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for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder; |
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(3) contact information for national and local autism |
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spectrum disorder education and support programs, services, and |
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organizations, including organizations in Houston, Dallas, San |
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Antonio, and Austin, and information hotlines, resource centers, |
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and clearinghouses; and |
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(4) any other information required by the department. |
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(b) The information described by Subsection (a) must be: |
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(1) current, evidence-based information that has been |
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reviewed by medical experts and local autism spectrum disorder |
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organizations; and |
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(2) published in English and Spanish. |
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(c) The department shall make the information described by |
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Subsection (a) available on the department's Internet website in a |
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format that may be easily printed. The department may provide the |
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information described by Subsection (a) in writing to health care |
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providers if the department determines that providing written |
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information is cost-effective. |
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Sec. 161.703. DUTY OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. (a) A health |
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care provider who administers or causes to be administered a test |
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for an autism spectrum disorder or who initially diagnoses a child |
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with an autism spectrum disorder shall provide the information |
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described by Section 161.702 to a parent of a child who receives: |
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(1) a test result indicating a probability or |
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diagnosis that the child has an autism spectrum disorder; or |
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(2) a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. |
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(b) In addition to providing the information described by |
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Subsection (a), a health care provider may provide additional |
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information about autism spectrum disorders that is current and |
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evidence-based and has been reviewed by medical experts and |
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national autism spectrum disorder 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. |