SECTION 139.51. Patient Rights at the Facility

A licensed abortion facility shall ensure that all women on whom the abortion is to be performed:

(1) be allowed to make her own choice and self-determination;

(2) are ensured the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of her choices and decisions;

(3) are ensured the right to voluntary and informed consent as defined in Health and Safety Code, §171.012, without paying a fee for the informational materials;

(4) are ensured individual counseling concerning private medical information and to be given a private opportunity to ask questions;

(5) be allowed to view their medical record, including the sonogram, if one has been performed, at any time as provided by law;

(6) have access to care and treatment consistent with available resources and generally accepted standards regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion or disability;

(7) are allowed to ask additional questions after giving consent and to withdraw consent while still medically safe to do so;

(8) are provided freedom from abuse, neglect, or exploitation as those terms are defined in §1.204 of this title (relating to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Defined); and

(9) be allowed to review the department's informational materials as described in Health and Safety Code, §171.014 and §171.015.

Source Note: The provisions of this §139.51 adopted to be effective June 28, 2009, 34 TexReg 4125