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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the immigration status or nationality of a person |
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needing or receiving certain emergency services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 311.022, Health and |
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Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 311.022. DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED [IN DENIAL OF
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SERVICES]; CRIMINAL PENALTIES. |
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SECTION 2. Section 311.022, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) An officer, employee, or medical staff member of a |
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general hospital may not inquire as to the immigration status or |
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nationality of a person who needs or receives emergency services, |
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unless the information is necessary to provide those services to |
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the person. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 773.016 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 773.016. REQUEST FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION PROHIBITED. |
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(a) Emergency medical services personnel, physicians, or emergency |
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room admissions personnel may not inquire as to the immigration |
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status or nationality of a patient who needs or receives emergency |
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medical services unless the information is necessary to provide |
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those services to the patient. |
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(b) The privilege of confidentiality under Section 773.091 |
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extends to any information regarding the immigration status or |
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nationality of a patient who needs or receives emergency medical |
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services. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |