Bill
HB 3374
84(R) - 2015
House State Affairs
House State Affairs
Department of Health
Healthcare
Vote Recommendation
Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
Author(s)
Geanie Morrison
Bill Caption
Relating to information regarding Down syndrome.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated
Bill Analysis
HB 3374 would add a new subchapter to the Health and Safety
Code. Specifically, this subchapter would require the Department of State
Health Services (DSHS) to make available certain information regarding the
condition of Down syndrome. This information must include general
statistics and information regarding the genetic disorder.
Additionally, this legislation would require a
health care provider who specializes in testing for Down syndrome to provide
the parents of the patient this information provided by DSHS regarding the
chromosomal condition. The health care provider may provide additional
information, however the information would have to be evidenced-based and
reviewed by medical experts and Down syndrome organizations. Lastly, this
information would have to be printed in both Spanish and English.
Vote Recommendation Notes
5/25/2015 update:
No changes have been made to this legislation in the Senate committee. The Senate chamber sponsor is Senator Lucio.
First chamber recommendation:
Requiring DSHS to put together information on Down syndrome and make it available to health care providers specializing in that field seems consistent with the purpose of the agency. The requirement that organizations give out the information gets near the line of our limited government principle, however the legislation provides sufficient protection that the requirement is largely unenforceable. For this reason, we stand neutral on HB 3374.
Organizations Supporting
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
Texas Alliance for Life
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
Texas Conservative Coalition
Texas Right To Life
Organizations Opposed
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
NARAL ProChoice Texas
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health