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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an annual medical examination for foster children. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 266, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 266.014 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 266.014. ANNUAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIRED; SEXUAL |
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ABUSE OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING REFERRAL. (a) For each child in the |
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conservatorship of the department, the department shall make a |
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reasonable effort to obtain consent from a person authorized to |
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provide consent under Section 266.004 or 266.010, as applicable, |
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for the child to receive an annual medical examination in |
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accordance with this section. |
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(b) The department shall ensure that each child in the |
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conservatorship of the department for whom the department obtains |
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consent under Subsection (a) receives an annual medical examination |
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from a physician or other health care provider authorized under |
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state law to conduct medical examinations. The examination must |
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include an evaluation of whether the child has been sexually abused |
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or was a victim of human trafficking during the preceding year. |
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(c) If, during the evaluation or medical examination, the |
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physician or health care provider determines that the child has |
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been sexually abused or was a victim of human trafficking, the |
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physician or health care provider shall refer the child to a |
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specialist who provides medical and psychological treatment for |
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victims of sexual abuse or human trafficking, as applicable. |
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(d) The commission shall ensure that the annual medical |
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examination required by this section is a benefit covered under the |
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STAR Health program or other Medicaid program in which the child is |
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enrolled. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that an additional waiver or additional |
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authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation |
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of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall |
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request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that |
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provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |