88R6373 MCF-D
 
  By: Ramos H.B. No. 1478
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to minimum standards for pregnancy resource centers.
         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 174 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 174. PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTERS
         Sec. 174.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "pregnancy
  resource center" means an organization, including a pregnancy
  counseling organization, crisis pregnancy center, pregnancy care
  center, or pregnancy support center, that for a fee or free of
  charge provides pregnancy counseling or information but:
               (1)  does not perform abortions or make referrals to an
  abortion provider;
               (2)  does not provide or make referrals for
  comprehensive birth control services;
               (3)  is not licensed or certified by this state or the
  federal government to provide medical or health care services; and
               (4)  is not required to have a physician under contract
  to provide or directly supervise all health care services provided
  by the organization.
         Sec. 174.002.  MINIMUM STANDARDS. (a)  The executive
  commissioner by rule shall prescribe minimum standards for
  pregnancy resource centers.
         (b)  The minimum standards must:
               (1)  protect the health and safety of a patient of a
  pregnancy resource center;
               (2)  contain provisions equivalent to the requirements
  of Subchapter B, Chapter 171, but applicable to the provision of
  pregnancy services; and
               (3)  contain provisions equivalent to the minimum
  standards for ambulatory surgical centers adopted under Section
  243.010.
         (c)  Pregnancy resource centers must have at least one
  licensed obstetrician or gynecologist present when providing
  services to a patient.
         (d)  This section does not authorize the executive
  commissioner to:
               (1)  establish the qualifications of a licensed health
  care practitioner; or
               (2)  allow a person to provide medical or health care
  services who is not authorized to provide those services under
  other laws of this state.
         (e)  A pregnancy resource center or health care practitioner
  that violates this section is subject to disciplinary action by the
  state agency that regulates the center or practitioner as if the
  center or practitioner had violated the applicable licensing law.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2024, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  adopt rules necessary to implement Chapter 174, Health and Safety
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.