By: Villarreal H.B. No. 2659
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an outreach campaign to promote fathers' involvement
with their children before birth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 32, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 32.0211 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.0211. WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM OUTREACH
CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE FATHERS' INVOLVEMENT. (a) The attorney general
shall:
(1) develop and periodically update a publication that
describes the importance and long-term positive effects on children
of prenatal involvement of fathers, and provides guidance to
fathers on the positive actions they can take to support their
partner during pregnancy and the impact those actions have on
pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, the publication must include the
following topics:
(a) the steps necessary for unmarried parents to
establish legal paternity and the benefits of paternity
establishment for children;
(b) a worksheet to help fathers identify their
personal risk behaviors (such as smoking, substance abuse, and
unemployment), understand how those behaviors effect their
child(ren), and resources for making necessary lifestyle changes;
(c) information for fathers about the mother's
prenatal health including: emotional and physical changes expected
throughout pregnancy, nutritional needs and how to help her meet
them, explanation about prenatal visits such as what they are and
what to expect, and practical ways to support the mother throughout
pregnancy;
(d) information about the child's prenatal health
including: developmental stages, the importance of attending
prenatal visits, explanation of prenatal tests such as what they
are and what to expect, practical ways to contribute to healthy baby
outcomes, and things to do to get ready for the birth;
(e) basic infant care information, including: the
how-to's of dressing, diapering, bathing, consoling, and
stimulating; health and safety issues such as nutritional
information, sleep needs and expectations, baby-proofing a home,
and what to expect at the first well-child visits; and bonding and
attachment and how each relates to child development;
(f) healthy relationship and co-parenting
information, including: communication strategies,
conflict-resolution strategies, and problem-solving techniques for
co-parenting; expectations and realities for the couple (whether
romantically involved or not) during pregnancy and after the baby
arrives; understanding of the mother's circumstances and
responsibilities, and methods for supporting her;
(g) worksheets, activities, and exercises to aid
fathers and couples in exploring the following topics: their
personal ideas about fatherhood and the role of the father in the
family system; the immediate and long term benefits of father
involvement specific to their family; perceived barriers to father
involvement, and strategies for overcoming those barriers; and
(h) activities and projects for fathers that increase
understanding of child developmental stages and child health and
safety issues.
(2) make the publication described by Subdivision (1)
available to an agency, organization, or other entity that
contracts with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants and Children and on the attorney general's Internet
website in a format that allows the public to download and print the
publication.
(b) An agency, organization, or other entity that contracts
with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants
and Children shall provide the publication described by Subsection
(a) to each pregnant woman receiving clinical or nutritional
services under the program and to the prospective father of her
child, if possible.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 32.0211(b), Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act, an agency, organization, or other
entity providing services under the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants and Children is not required to comply
with that section until the attorney general makes the publication
available as described by Section 32.0211(a)(2), Health and Safety
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2009.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.