| 1 | 1 | | 88R986 EAS-F |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Hall S.B. No. 309 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to COVID-19 prevention and treatment information provided |
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| 8 | 8 | | to individuals receiving a COVID-19 viral test. |
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| 9 | 9 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 10 | 10 | | SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, is amended by |
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| 11 | 11 | | adding Subchapter K to read as follows: |
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| 12 | 12 | | SUBCHAPTER K. COVID-19 TESTING, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT |
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| 13 | 13 | | Sec. 81.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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| 14 | 14 | | (1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus |
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| 15 | 15 | | disease. |
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| 16 | 16 | | (2) "Health care provider" means a person who is |
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| 17 | 17 | | licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide COVID-19 |
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| 18 | 18 | | viral testing. |
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| 19 | 19 | | Sec. 81.452. COVID-19 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT |
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| 20 | 20 | | INFORMATION. The department shall post on the department's |
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| 21 | 21 | | Internet website a printable brochure containing information on |
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| 22 | 22 | | preventative measures and treatments for COVID-19. The brochure |
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| 23 | 23 | | must include the following information: |
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| 24 | 24 | | (1) methods to improve the functioning of an |
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| 25 | 25 | | individual's immune system; |
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| 26 | 26 | | (2) the importance of therapeutic prevention of |
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| 27 | 27 | | COVID-19, including: |
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| 28 | 28 | | (A) the use of nutraceuticals; |
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| 29 | 29 | | (B) the use of prescription medications; and |
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| 30 | 30 | | (C) the benefits and risks associated with |
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| 31 | 31 | | vaccination; |
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| 32 | 32 | | (3) the importance of seeking treatment for COVID-19 |
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| 33 | 33 | | as soon as symptoms appear and a list of COVID-19 treatments that |
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| 34 | 34 | | may be effective, including available medications; and |
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| 35 | 35 | | (4) advanced home treatments for reducing COVID-19 |
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| 36 | 36 | | symptoms and preventing hospitalization after an individual |
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| 37 | 37 | | contracts COVID-19, including monoclonal antibody therapy. |
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| 38 | 38 | | Sec. 81.453. REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. A |
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| 39 | 39 | | health care provider who performs a COVID-19 viral test on an |
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| 40 | 40 | | individual shall, at the time the provider performs the test, |
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| 41 | 41 | | provide a printed or electronic copy of the brochure described by |
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| 42 | 42 | | Section 81.452 to the individual. |
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| 43 | 43 | | SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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| 44 | 44 | | of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall develop |
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| 45 | 45 | | and post on the department's Internet website the brochure required |
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| 46 | 46 | | by Section 81.452, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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| 47 | 47 | | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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| 48 | 48 | | a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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| 49 | 49 | | provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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| 50 | 50 | | Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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| 51 | 51 | | Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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