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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to information regarding Down syndrome. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter W to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER W. INFORMATION REGARDING DOWN SYNDROME |
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Sec. 161.651. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Down syndrome" means a chromosomal condition |
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caused by the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of |
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chromosome 21. |
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(2) "Health care facility" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 82.002. |
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(3) "Health care provider" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 34.001 and includes a genetic counselor. |
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Sec. 161.652. INFORMATION REGARDING DOWN SYNDROME. (a) The |
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department shall provide written information regarding Down |
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syndrome to health care facilities and health care providers that |
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furnish prenatal care, postnatal care, or genetic counseling to |
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expectant parents and parents no later than January 1, 2016. The |
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written information must include: |
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(1) information addressing physical, developmental, |
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educational, and psychosocial outcomes, life expectancy, clinical |
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course, and intellectual and functional development for |
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individuals with Down syndrome; |
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(2) information regarding available treatment options |
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for individuals with Down syndrome; and |
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(3) contact information for national and local Down |
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syndrome education and support programs and services, including |
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information hotlines, resource centers, and clearinghouses. |
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(b) The written information described by Subsection (a) |
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must be current, evidence-based information that: |
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(1) has been reviewed by medical experts and both |
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local and national Down syndrome organizations; |
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(2) is designed to inform: |
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(A) expectant parents who receive a prenatal test |
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result indicating a probability or diagnosis that the unborn child |
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has Down syndrome; or |
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(B) a parent of a child who is diagnosed with Down |
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syndrome; and |
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(3) does not discriminate based on disability or |
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genetic variation by explicitly or implicitly presenting pregnancy |
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termination as an option when a prenatal test indicates that the |
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unborn child has Down syndrome or any other health condition. |
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(c) The written information described by Subsection (a) |
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must be published in English and Spanish. |
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(d) The department shall make the written information |
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described by Subsection (a) available on the department's Internet |
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website. |
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(e) A health care provider shall provide the written |
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information described by Subsection (a) to: |
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(1) expectant parents who receive a prenatal test |
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result indicating a probability or diagnosis that the unborn child |
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has Down syndrome; or |
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(2) a parent of a child who receives a diagnosis of |
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Down syndrome. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |