By: Middleton, Hall, Sparks S.B. No. 407

(In the Senate - Filed November 21, 2024; February 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; April 22, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 3; April 22, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 407 By: Hancock

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a health care facility's required policy for vaccine preventable diseases.

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

SECTION 1. Section 224.002(c), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The policy must:

(1) [may] include procedures for a covered individual to be exempt from the required vaccines based on reasons of conscience, including a religious belief; and

(2) prohibit a health care facility from rejecting, for any reason, an exemption based on reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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