By: Hall S.B. No. 1489
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of information regarding COVID-19
prevention and treatment to individuals receiving a COVID-19 viral
test.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. COVID-19 TESTING, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT
Sec. 81.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
disease.
(2) "Health care facility" means a hospital,
freestanding emergency medical care facility, urgent care or retail
clinic, outpatient clinic, birthing center, ambulatory surgical
center, or other facility that is licensed to provide health care
services in this state, or any facility or location providing
COVID-19 testing.
Sec. 81.452. COVID-19 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
INFORMATION. The department shall post on the department's
Internet website a printable brochure containing information about
preventative measures and treatments for COVID-19. The brochure
must include the following information:
(1) methods for improving the functioning of an
individual's immune system;
(2) the importance of therapeutic prevention of
COVID-19, including the use of nutraceuticals, the use of
prescription medications, and the benefits and risks of receiving a
vaccination;
(3) the importance of seeking treatment for COVID-19
as soon as symptoms appear and a list of methods for treating
COVID-19 that may be effective, including available medications;
and
(4) advanced home treatments for reducing COVID-19
symptoms and preventing hospitalization after an individual
contracts COVID-19, including monoclonal antibody therapy.
Sec. 81.453. REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. A
health care facility that provides a COVID-19 viral test to an
individual shall require the facility employee who performs the
test to, at the time the employee performs the test:
(1) provide a copy of the brochure described by
Section 81.452 to the individual receiving the test; or
(2) convey the information contained in the brochure
to the individual receiving the test verbally, in a clearly
audible, easily understandable, and intelligible manner.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall develop
and post on the department's Internet website the brochure required
by Section 81.452, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
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.