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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to HIV and AIDS tests. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 85, Health |
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and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER D. HIV TESTING, TESTING PROGRAMS, AND COUNSELING |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 85, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 85.0815 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 85.0815. OPT-OUT HIV TESTING IN MEDICAL SCREENINGS FOR |
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS. (a) A health care provider who |
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takes a sample of an individual's blood as part of a medical |
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screening for a sexually transmitted infection shall submit the |
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sample for an HIV diagnostic test, regardless of whether an HIV test |
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is part of a primary diagnosis, unless the individual opts out of |
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the HIV test. |
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(b) Before taking a sample of an individual's blood as part |
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of a medical screening for a sexually transmitted infection, a |
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health care provider must obtain the individual's written consent |
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for an HIV diagnostic test or verbally inform the individual that an |
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HIV diagnostic test will be performed unless the individual opts |
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out of the HIV test. |
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(c) A health care provider who submits an individual's blood |
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for an HIV diagnostic test shall provide to each individual who |
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receives a positive test result information on available HIV health |
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services and referrals to community support programs. |
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(d) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to |
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implement this section. In adopting rules, the executive |
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commissioner must consider the most recent recommendations of the |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for HIV testing of |
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adults and adolescents. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and |
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Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section |
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85.0815, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later |
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than January 1, 2024. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 85.0815, Health and Safety |
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Code, as added by this Act, a health care provider is not required |
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to comply with that section until January 1, 2024. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |