Sec. 203.355. SUPPORT SERVICES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Clinical services" include prenatal, postpartum, child health, and family planning services.
(2) "Local health unit" means a division of a municipal or county government that provides limited public health services under Section 121.004, Health and Safety Code.
(3) "Public health district" means a district created under Subchapter E, Chapter 121, Health and Safety Code.
(b) The Department of State Health Services and a local health department, a public health district, or a local health unit shall provide clinical and laboratory support services to a pregnant woman or a newborn who is a client of a midwife if the midwife is required to provide the services under this chapter.
(c) The laboratory services must include the performance of the standard serological tests for syphilis and the collection of blood specimens for newborn screening tests for phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, and other heritable diseases as required by law.
(d) The provider may charge a reasonable fee for the services. A person may not be denied the services because of inability to pay.
(e) If available, appropriately trained personnel from local health departments, public health districts, and local health units shall instruct licensed midwives in the approved techniques for collecting blood specimens to be used to perform newborn screening tests.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1240 (H.B. 1535), Sec. 42, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 838 (S.B. 202), Sec. 1.030, eff. September 1, 2015.