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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of information regarding COVID-19 |
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prevention and treatment to individuals receiving a COVID-19 viral |
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test. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter K to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER K. COVID-19 TESTING, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT |
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Sec. 81.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus |
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disease. |
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(2) "Health care facility" means a hospital, |
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freestanding emergency medical care facility, urgent care or retail |
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clinic, outpatient clinic, birthing center, ambulatory surgical |
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center, or other facility that is licensed to provide health care |
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services in this state, or any facility or location providing |
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COVID-19 testing. |
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Sec. 81.452. COVID-19 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT |
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INFORMATION. The department shall post on the department's |
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Internet website a printable brochure containing information about |
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preventative measures and treatments for COVID-19. The brochure |
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must include the following information: |
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(1) methods for improving the functioning of an |
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individual's immune system; |
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(2) the importance of therapeutic prevention of |
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COVID-19, including the use of nutraceuticals, the use of |
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prescription medications, and the benefits and risks of receiving a |
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vaccination; |
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(3) the importance of seeking treatment for COVID-19 |
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as soon as symptoms appear and a list of methods for treating |
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COVID-19 that may be effective, including available medications; |
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and |
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(4) advanced home treatments for reducing COVID-19 |
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symptoms and preventing hospitalization after an individual |
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contracts COVID-19, including monoclonal antibody therapy. |
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Sec. 81.453. REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. A |
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health care facility that provides a COVID-19 viral test to an |
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individual shall require the facility employee who performs the |
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test to, at the time the employee performs the test: |
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(1) provide a copy of the brochure described by |
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Section 81.452 to the individual receiving the test; or |
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(2) convey the information contained in the brochure |
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to the individual receiving the test verbally, in a clearly |
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audible, easily understandable, and intelligible manner. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall develop |
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and post on the department's Internet website the brochure required |
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by Section 81.452, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |