By: Minjarez, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Kolkhorst) H.B. No. 405

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 3, 2019; April 4, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Administration; May 3, 2019, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 3, 2019, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to designating June as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Awareness Month.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 662, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 662.112 to read as follows:

Sec. 662.112. NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH. June is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Awareness Month to increase awareness of neonatal abstinence syndrome and to encourage:

(1) awareness of the dangers of opioid and substance abuse during pregnancy to prevent neonatal abstinence syndrome;

(2) the creation and update of lists of recommended materials to address neonatal abstinence syndrome available through the Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human Services Commission;

(3) electronic circulation of and posting on state and local agency websites of recommended treatment and recovery resources;

(4) the availability of resources for mothers-to-be and new mothers with substance abuse disorders, including health care services and recovery support services; and

(5) collaboration between state and federal governmental agencies, hospitals, private health care practices, health insurance providers, Medicaid providers, and mental health agencies to increase awareness.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

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