Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB252 by Farrar (Relating to increasing awareness of the dangers of exposing children to secondhand smoke.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code relating to increasing awareness of the dangers of exposing children to secondhand smoke. The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to add new information in both Spanish and English to the resource pamphlet and resource guide provided to parents of newborn children to include information regarding the dangers of exposing a newborn, infant, or other child to secondhand smoke. The bill would require DSHS to include available resources to assist a person who wants to stop smoking. The bill would require DSHS to make the informational materials available on its internet website no later than December 1, 2019. The bill would not require a facility to comply with this change until January 1, 2020. The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
The agency indicates the provisions of the bill can be implemented within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.