By: Landgraf H.B. No. 2924
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information regarding Down syndrome.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter W to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER W. INFORMATION REGARDING DOWN SYNDROME
Sec. 161.651. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Down syndrome" means a chromosomal condition
caused by the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of
chromosome 21.
(2) "Health care facility" has the meaning assigned by
Section 82.002.
(3) "Health care provider" has the meaning assigned by
Section 34.001 and includes a genetic counselor.
Sec. 161.652. INFORMATION REGARDING DOWN SYNDROME. (a) The
department shall provide written information regarding Down
syndrome to health care facilities and health care providers that
furnish prenatal care, postnatal care, or genetic counseling to
expectant parents and parents no later than January 1, 2016. The
written information must include:
(1) information addressing physical, developmental,
educational, and psychosocial outcomes, life expectancy, clinical
course, and intellectual and functional development for
individuals with Down syndrome;
(2) information regarding available treatment options
for individuals with Down syndrome; and
(3) contact information for national and local Down
syndrome education and support programs and services, including
information hotlines, resource centers, and clearinghouses.
(b) The written information described by Subsection (a)
must be current, evidence-based information that:
(1) has been reviewed by medical experts and both
local and national Down syndrome organizations;
(2) is designed to inform:
(A) expectant parents who receive a prenatal test
result indicating a probability or diagnosis that the unborn child
has Down syndrome; or
(B) a parent of a child who is diagnosed with Down
syndrome; and
(3) does not discriminate based on disability or
genetic variation by explicitly or implicitly presenting pregnancy
termination as an option when a prenatal test indicates that the
unborn child has Down syndrome or any other health condition.
(c) The written information described by Subsection (a)
must be published in English and Spanish.
(d) The department shall make the written information
described by Subsection (a) available on the department's Internet
website.
(e) A health care provider shall provide the written
information described by Subsection (a) to:
(1) expectant parents who receive a prenatal test
result indicating a probability or diagnosis that the unborn child
has Down syndrome; or
(2) a parent of a child who receives a diagnosis of
Down syndrome.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.