The bill, S.B. No. 2916, amends the Health and Safety Code to establish informed consent requirements for screening tests related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It introduces a new definition for "screening test" as a rapid analytical procedure to determine the need for further diagnostic evaluation for specific infections. The bill mandates that health care providers must obtain consent from individuals before collecting blood samples for STD screenings and inform them that the screening will occur unless they opt out. Additionally, if an individual tests positive, the provider is required to offer information on available health care and support services.

Furthermore, the bill outlines that the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission must adopt rules to implement these provisions by January 1, 2026, although compliance is not required until that date. It also includes a provision that allows the commission to delay implementation of mandatory actions unless specific funding is appropriated for that purpose, with a requirement to report on the costs of implementation for future budget considerations. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 85.002 (Health and Safety Code 85)