86R1863 JG-D
By: Farrar H.B. No. 247
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of information and other services
relating to emergency contraception to sexual assault survivors.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 323, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Sections 323.0052 and 323.0053 to read as follows:
Sec. 323.0052. EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION INFORMATION. (a)
The department shall develop a standard information form for sexual
assault survivors that includes information regarding emergency
contraception.
(b) Emergency contraception information contained in the
information form must be medically and factually accurate and
unbiased. The department may use appropriate medical organizations
and associations, including the American Congress of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists, as resources in developing the form.
(c) The department shall ensure the emergency contraception
information is published in:
(1) an easily comprehensible form; and
(2) a large, clearly legible typeface.
(d) The department shall annually review the information
form to determine whether content changes are necessary.
(e) A health care facility shall use the information form
developed under this section.
Sec. 323.0053. EMERGENCY SERVICES RELATING TO EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION. (a) In addition to the other services and
information required under this chapter, after a sexual assault
survivor arrives at a health care facility for emergency care
following an alleged sexual assault, the facility shall:
(1) provide the survivor with the information form
required under Section 323.0052;
(2) orally communicate to the survivor the information
regarding emergency contraception contained in the form provided
under Subdivision (1);
(3) if indicated by the history of contact, orally
inform the survivor that the survivor may request and receive
emergency contraception at the facility; and
(4) if not medically contraindicated and if the
survivor agrees to submit to a pregnancy test that produces a
negative result, dispense emergency contraception to the survivor
immediately on the survivor's request.
(b) Subsections (a)(3) and (4) do not apply to a health care
facility that does not dispense emergency contraception.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.