85S11199 JG-D
By: Ortega H.B. No. 305
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the screening of certain women for substance use and
postpartum depression.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. SUBSTANCE USE AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING
Sec. 32.081. SUBSTANCE USE AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
SCREENING OF CERTAIN WOMEN. (a) A physician or other person
authorized by law to attend a pregnant woman or woman who has been
pregnant at any time during the preceding year shall screen the
woman for substance use and postpartum depression.
(b) The commission shall make available to physicians and
other persons required to conduct a screening under Subsection (a)
information that includes:
(1) guidance regarding the process for verbally
screening a pregnant woman for substance use or a woman who has been
pregnant for postpartum depression using a standardized and
validated screening tool; and
(2) a list of substance use and postpartum depression
treatment resources in each geographic region of this state.
(c) A physician or other person described by Subsection (a)
is not required to comply with that subsection if the physician or
other person determines compliance is not possible or would
otherwise be inappropriate.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement the
changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 3. (a) Not later than June 1, 2018, the Health and
Human Services Commission shall make the information described by
Section 32.081, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act,
available to physicians and other persons authorized by law to
attend a pregnant woman or a woman who has been pregnant at any time
during the preceding year.
(b) A physician or other person described by Subsection (a)
of this section is not required to conduct the screenings described
by Section 32.081, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act,
before December 1, 2018.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.