TX
Texas House Bill HB2816

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2816

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to protection of the rights of conscience of persons from providing and health care facilities from offering certain health care services; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

Impact

The bill introduces significant changes to the provisions governing health care services in Texas, particularly by amending the Health and Safety Code to include a dedicated section for conscience protection. It stipulates that health care providers must comply with facility protocols if they choose to opt-out of providing certain services for reasons of conscience. This amendment has implications for both operational practices within health care facilities and the rights of patients seeking specific health care services, as it may affect their access to care based on providers' personal beliefs.

Summary

House Bill 2816 is concerned with the rights of conscience for health care providers and facilities in Texas, establishing a framework that allows them to decline participation in specific health care services based on moral or philosophical beliefs. The bill explicitly recognizes the importance of such protections for physicians and health care providers, aiming to ensure that their beliefs do not lead to adverse actions against them, such as discrimination or punitive measures from employers or licensing agencies. Under this framework, individuals and facilities are afforded immunity from civil or criminal liability for their decision to decline certain health care services.

Contention

The main points of contention surrounding HB 2816 center on the potential for this law to create barriers to care for patients seeking services that some providers may decline to offer. Critics argue that while conscience protections are essential, they may inadvertently enable discrimination against patients, particularly in sensitive areas such as family planning and abortion services. Supporters of the bill contend that safeguarding the conscience rights of health care workers is vital to maintaining ethical medical practice and preventing coerced participation in services that conflict with personal beliefs.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

  • Chapter 161. Public Health Provisions
    • Section: New Section

Latest HB2816 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB319

Relating to protection of persons from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX SB2199

Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX HB1873

Relating to patients' rights, consumer protection, and directives for the provision of health care services; providing an administrative penalty.

TX HB2324

Relating to the regulation of certain health professionals and health facilities; providing civil and administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB4867

Relating to health care transparency, including advertising, identification, and notice requirements for certain health facilities and health professionals; authorizing administrative and civil penalties.

TX SB2378

Relating to prohibiting a public entity from providing financial assistance for abortion or abortion-related services; providing civil penalties.

TX HB5249

Relating to prohibiting a public entity from providing financial assistance for abortion or abortion-related services; providing civil penalties.

TX HB4611

Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of the health and human services laws governing the Health and Human Services Commission, Medicaid, and other social services.

TX SB24

Relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services.

TX HB4049

Relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Similar Bills

TX SB16

Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX SB17

Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX SB34

Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX SB1674

Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX SB2199

Relating to protection of individuals from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX HB1424

Relating to protection of persons from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX HB210

Relating to protection of persons from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.

TX HB142

Relating to protection of persons from participation in a health care service for reasons of conscience; providing a civil remedy; authorizing disciplinary action.