88R231 SRA-D
	By: Toth	H.B. No. 189

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to in-person visitation with hospital patients during
	certain periods of disaster.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Sections 241.012(c), (g), and (i), Health and
	Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a hospital may during a
	qualifying period of disaster:
	(1)  restrict the number of visitors a patient
	receiving care or treatment at the hospital may receive at any one
	time to not fewer than one;
	(2)  require a visitor to the hospital to:
	(A)  complete a health screening before entering
	the hospital; and
	(B)  wear personal protective equipment at all
	times while visiting a patient at the hospital; and
	(3)  deny entry to or remove from the hospital's
	premises a visitor who fails or refuses to:
	(A)  submit to or meet the requirements of a
	health screening administered by the hospital; or
	(B)  wear personal protective equipment that
	meets the hospital's infection control and safety requirements in
	the manner prescribed by the hospital.
	(g)  A determination made by an attending physician under
	Subsection (f)(2) must be in writing and is valid for not more than
	48 hours [five days] after [the date] the determination is made
	unless renewed by an attending physician. A renewal of the
	determination must be in writing, is valid for not more than 48
	hours after the renewal is made, and may be renewed in the same
	manner as the initial determination.
	(i)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
	hospital may not prohibit in-person visitation by a religious
	counselor of the patient's choosing with a patient who is receiving
	care or treatment at the hospital [and who is seriously ill or
	dying] for a reason other than the religious counselor's failure to
	comply with a requirement described by Subsection (c)(2).
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.