The Perinatal Palliative Care Act aims to ensure that pregnant women whose preborn children are diagnosed with life-threatening disabilities are informed about the availability of perinatal palliative care. The bill introduces a new subchapter to the Health and Safety Code, which defines perinatal palliative care as comprehensive support aimed at reducing suffering for the pregnant woman, her preborn child, and their family. It mandates the development of informational materials by the commission, which will include descriptions of available services and medical assistance benefits. Additionally, the commission is required to maintain a geographically indexed list of perinatal palliative care providers, excluding abortion providers.

Health care providers are obligated to provide these informational materials and a certification form to pregnant women upon diagnosis of a life-threatening disability in their preborn child. The bill also outlines disciplinary actions for providers who fail to comply, including a written warning for initial violations and a $1,000 administrative penalty for subsequent violations. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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