By: Lalani H.B. No. 4682

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an e-cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation program established by the Department of State Health Services.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 1001.090 to read as follows:

Sec. 1001.090. E-CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO USE PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAM. (a) Using available resources, the department shall develop and implement an e-cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation program. The program must include:

(1) a telephone hotline that provides counseling regarding e-cigarette and tobacco cessation, using current best practices; and

(2) information about the program and other services provided by the department or the commission that are available to women who are pregnant or postpartum.

(b) The department may enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to implement this section.

(c) The department shall accept all eligible applicants for the program described by Subsection (a) who are pregnant or gave birth in the preceding year. The department shall prioritize providing program services to these applicants. This shall include providing the counseling described in Subsection (a)(1) in the amount and duration consistent with current best practices, to the extent permitted by using available resources.

(d) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.