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Relating to information regarding perinatal palliative care and prohibiting discriminatory abortions; creating an administrative penalty, a civil remedy, and a criminal offense.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 1033 would require the Health and Human Services Commission to develop perinatal palliative care informational materials and post the materials on the commission's website. The bill would also prescribe health care provider duties on diagnosis of a preborn child's life-threatening disability.
"Perinatal palliative care" means the provision of comprehensive, supportive care to reduce the suffering of a pregnant woman, her preborn child, and her family, from diagnosis of the preborn child ’s life-threatening disability through the delivery and possible death of the child as a result of the life-threatening disability. The term includes medical, social, and mental health care, including counseling and health care provided by maternal-fetal medical specialists, obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesia specialists, specialty nurses, clergy, social workers, and other individuals focused on alleviating fear and pain and ensuring the pregnant woman, her preborn child, and her family experience a supportive environment.
SB 1033 would also amend the Health and Safety Code to prohibit performing an abortion on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, or probability of diagnosis of the preborn child having a disability. The bill would also prohibit a person from attempting to intimidate or coerce the performance or attempted performance of an abortion for these reasons.
Texas Action does not make vote recommendations on bills that primarily address social issues. For this reason we remain neutral.