88R12836 JG-D
By: LaMantia S.B. No. 1637
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the prohibited report or disclosure by health care
providers of certain health information.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 171A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 171A. PROHIBITED REPORT OR DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN HEALTH
INFORMATION
Sec. 171A.001. PROHIBITED REPORT OR DISCLOSURE BY HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS. Notwithstanding any other law, a physician or
other health care provider who provides health care services to a
patient who experienced a miscarriage or obtained an abortion or
who the physician or provider suspects may have experienced a
miscarriage or obtained an abortion is prohibited from reporting or
disclosing that information to a peace officer or law enforcement
agency.
Sec. 171A.002. ENFORCEMENT. The reporting or disclosure of
information prohibited under Section 171A.001 by a physician or
other health care provider constitutes a violation of Chapter 181
and the physician or provider is subject to enforcement actions
under Subchapter E of that chapter, including disciplinary action
by the appropriate licensing authority.
Sec. 171A.003. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules to implement this chapter.
SECTION 2. Chapter 171A, Health and Safety Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to the report or disclosure of information
described by that chapter that occurs on or after the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.