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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the minimum standards of care provided to sexual |
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assault survivors by health care facilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 323.004(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A health care facility providing care to a sexual |
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assault survivor shall provide the survivor with: |
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(1) subject to Subsection (b-1), a forensic medical |
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examination in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 420, |
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Government Code, and Subchapter G, Chapter 56A, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure; |
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(2) a private area, if available, to wait or speak with |
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the appropriate medical, legal, or sexual assault crisis center |
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staff or volunteer until a physician, nurse, or physician assistant |
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is able to treat the survivor; |
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(3) access to a sexual assault program advocate, if |
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available, as provided by Subchapter H, Chapter 56A, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure; |
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(4) the information form required by Section 323.005; |
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(5) a private treatment room, if available; |
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(6) if indicated by the history of contact, access to |
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appropriate prophylaxis for exposure to sexually transmitted |
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infections; |
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(7) the name and telephone number of the nearest |
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sexual assault crisis center; [and] |
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(8) if the health care facility has shower facilities, |
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access to a shower at no cost to the survivor after the examination |
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described by Subdivision (1); and |
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(9) if the survivor consents and the treatment is |
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clinically indicated, an emergency contraceptive approved by the |
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United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |