87R8315 SRA-D
By: Hughes S.B. No. 1201
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to in-person visitation of religious counsel with
seriously ill or dying hospital patients and facility residents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 241.012 to read as follows:
Sec. 241.012. IN-PERSON VISITATION OF RELIGIOUS COUNSEL.
(a) In this section, "religious counsel" means an individual
acting substantially in a pastoral or religious capacity to counsel
other individuals.
(b) A hospital may not prohibit in-person visitation of
religious counsel with a patient at the hospital who is seriously
ill or dying.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a hospital may require
religious counsel to:
(1) submit to a health screening administered by the
hospital; and
(2) wear personal protective equipment at all times
while visiting a patient at the hospital.
(d) In the event of a conflict between this section and any
other law, this section prevails.
SECTION 2. Subchapter L, Chapter 242, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 242.506 to read as follows:
Sec. 242.506. IN-PERSON VISITATION OF RELIGIOUS COUNSEL.
(a) In this section, "religious counsel" means an individual
acting substantially in a pastoral or religious capacity to counsel
other individuals.
(b) A facility may not prohibit in-person visitation of
religious counsel with a resident of the facility who is seriously
ill or dying.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a facility may require
religious counsel to:
(1) submit to a health screening administered by the
facility; and
(2) wear personal protective equipment at all times
while visiting a resident at the facility.
(d) In the event of a conflict between this section and any
other law, this section prevails.
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, 2021.