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HB 220

Relating to the care provided to sexual assault survivors by health care facilities.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Salman Bhojani and 23 co-sponsors

HB 220 mandates Texas health care facilities establish standardized protocols for treating sexual assault survivors, ensuring trauma-informed care and consistent support services statewide.

Left pending in committee
#crimes--againstpersons--sexual(i0171) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #medicalcarefacilities(s0455) #sexualassault(s4375)
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Bill Summary · HB 220

Legislative bill overview

HB 220 establishes requirements for how Texas health care facilities must treat and care for sexual assault survivors. The bill appears to standardize protocols, procedures, and support services that hospitals and clinics must provide to survivors presenting for medical care following sexual assault. The specific requirements are not detailed in the action history provided, but the bill has advanced through initial committee review.

Why is this important

Sexual assault survivors often face barriers to accessing appropriate medical care, evidence collection, and trauma-informed support. Standardized state-level requirements ensure survivors receive consistent, quality care regardless of which facility they visit. This can improve both health outcomes for survivors and the integrity of evidence collection for potential criminal prosecution.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Health care facilities may argue compliance requires significant staff training, facility updates, and resource allocation
  • Scope of mandates: Disagreement over whether state requirements should be prescriptive (specific procedures required) versus flexible (facility-determined standards meeting minimum benchmarks)
  • Provider liability and scope: Questions about whether mandates could expose facilities to liability if protocols aren't followed, and whether requirements extend to all facility types equally

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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