85R2243 AJZ-D
By: White H.B. No. 2695
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information regarding fetal alcohol spectrum
disorders.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter X to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER X. INFORMATION REGARDING FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM
DISORDERS
Sec. 161.701. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder" means one of a
group of conditions that can occur in a person who is exposed to
alcohol in utero.
(2) "Health care provider" has the meaning assigned by
Section 34.001.
Sec. 161.702. DUTY OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. (a) At the
time of initial contact, a health care provider who provides care to
an expectant mother or who initially diagnoses a child with a fetal
alcohol spectrum disorder shall provide information regarding
fetal alcohol spectrum disorders to:
(1) expectant parents; or
(2) a parent of a child who receives a diagnosis of a
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
(b) The information described by Subsection (a) must be
current and evidence-based and must have been reviewed by medical
experts and state or national fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
organizations.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, this section does not
impose a standard of care or create an obligation or duty that
provides a basis for a cause of action against a health care
provider. A health care provider may not be held civilly or
criminally liable for failing to provide information as required by
Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.