85R2203 KKR-D By: Leach H.B. No. 1070 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to discrimination by a health care provider based on immunization status. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.0333 to read as follows: Sec. 531.0333. DISCRIMINATION BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BASED ON IMMUNIZATION STATUS. (a) A health care provider may not refuse to provide health care services to a patient solely because a patient has or has not received immunization for a particular communicable disease. (b) A health care provider that violates this section is not eligible to receive money from the state for services provided to patients, including under the medical assistance program under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, or under the state child health plan under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. 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, 2017.