86R13552 SCL-D
By: Swanson H.B. No. 2447
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibited actions regarding health benefit plan
coverage for enrollees who refuse to have an abortion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 1454, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1454.003 to read as follows:
Sec. 1454.003. LOSS OF COVERAGE FOR ABORTION REFUSAL
PROHIBITED. A health benefit plan issuer may not condition
continued health benefit coverage for an enrollee on the enrollee
having or require the enrollee to have an abortion regardless of
whether a physician or health care practitioner has diagnosed the
enrollee's unborn child as unviable or having a fetal abnormality.
SECTION 2. The heading to Chapter 1696, Insurance Code, is
amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 1696. COVERAGE FOR AND REQUIREMENT TO HAVE ELECTIVE
ABORTION; PROHIBITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 3. The heading to Section 1696.002, Insurance Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1696.002. PROHIBITED COVERAGE AND REQUIREMENTS
THROUGH HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE.
SECTION 4. Section 1696.002, Insurance Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) An issuer of a qualified plan offered through a health
benefit exchange may not condition continued health benefit
coverage for an enrollee on the enrollee having or require the
enrollee to have an abortion regardless of whether a physician or
health care practitioner has diagnosed the enrollee's unborn child
as unviable or having a fetal abnormality.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a health benefit or qualified plan delivered, issued for delivery,
or renewed on or after January 1, 2020.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.