Texas Bill Relating to the ‘Texas Alternatives to Abortion Program’ (HB 3873)

This law was last updated on Aug 29, 2019

State

Texas

Number

HB 3873

Status

Failed to Pass

Proposed

Mar 7, 2019

Topics

Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Full Bill Text

capitol.texas.gov

HB 3873 would require the state to establish the Texas Alternatives to Abortion Program to enhance and increase resources that promote childbirth for pregnant people facing unplanned pregnancies.

The bill would require the commission to establish a statewide network of service providers, including pregnancy support centers (CPCs), adoption assistance providers, and maternity homes, to provide services.

Services under the program should include:

counseling and mentoring;
care coordination for prenatal services;
educational materials and information about pregnancy and parenting;
referrals to governmental and social service programs;
classes on life skills, personal finance, parenthood, stress management, job training, job placement, and methods for obtaining high school equivalency certificates;
provision of supplies for infant care and pregnancy; and
support groups in maternity homes.

The commission or service providers would be prohibiting from providing family planning services under the program.

The commission would be required to seek federal, governmental, and private funding to supplement and match funding provided to the program.

The commission or a service provider would be prohibited from using funding provided to the program to perform, induce, assist, or refer an abortion; or grant program funds to an abortion provider or an affiliate of an abortion provider.

CPCs have come under increased scrutiny over the last several years, as investigations have revealed that centers across the country have provided inaccurate information and neglected to follow proper medical protocols. (Source.)

Latest Action

3/7/19 – Introduced.