North - Northwest Austin Edition | June 2023

AT THE CAPITOL

Texas Legislature passes bills tackling fentanyl crisis and Medicaid coverage

BY HANNAH NORTON

Texas lawmakers led over 11,800 bills during the 88th regular legislative session, including proposals that dealt with a variety of health-related issues. The session ended May 29 and Gov. Greg Abbott had until June 18 to sign or veto legislation.

House Bill 6 Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth If a medical examiner nds a lethal amount of fentanyl in someone’s system and determines the drug caused their death, this bill will require “homicide” to be listed as the manner of death. Prosecutors could then charge drug dealers with murder for manufacturing or distributing the deadly opioid. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

House Bill 12 Rep. Toni Rose, D-Dallas

Senate Bill 14 Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels

Senate Bill 29 Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury Local governments will not be allowed to impose or enforce coronavirus mandates, including mask and vaccine requirements. Governments also cannot force businesses or schools to close due to COVID-19. Private businesses can still require their employees to be vaccinated or masked. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

Low-income mothers may soon be eligible to receive Medicaid coverage for up to one year after childbirth and six months after a miscarriage. Medicaid covers appointments and other services for mothers and their babies. Texas currently oers two months of postpartum coverage. Status: Will become law if federal government approves extension Senate Bill 490 Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola Hospitals, doctors oces and other health care providers must give patients itemized bills after every visit. Bills must include a description of each service or product, amounts billed to or paid by an insurance provider or other third party, and the

Minors will be prohibited from receiving gender-arming care, including puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy and gender conrmation surgery. Children receiving nonsurgical care will be weaned o of it. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

House Bill 916 Rep. Claudia Ordaz, D-El Paso

Senate Bill 379 Sen. Joan Human, R-Houston

Senate Bill 629 Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio

Feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, diapers, maternity clothing, baby bottles and breast milk pumping products will be sold tax-free. The bill is part of a bipartisan eort to make baby and menstrual products more aordable and accessible for all Texans. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

Medicaid providers and insurance companies that cover contraception will be required to oer a one-year supply of birth control at once. Lawmakers said this will make it easier for Texans to access birth control.

Public middle and high schools will be required to store Narcan, a medication used to reverse overdoses caused by fentanyl and other opioids. School sta will be educated about overdoses and trained to administer the medication in an emergency. Status: Became law June 18

Status: Becomes law Sept. 1 SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT

amount owed by the patient. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1

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