(a) The department shall create a process to:
(1) permit the parent of a newborn or infant to provide the consent required under this chapter through electronic means, including through audio or video recording;
(2) determine the manner of storing electronic consent records; and
(3) ensure the newborn’s or infant’s attending physician has access to the electronic consent records for the newborn or infant.
(b) A request for consent required by this chapter may be submitted to the parent or guardian of a newborn or infant through written or electronic means, including through audio or visual recording.

Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 47.0085

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) A birthing facility or person required to obtain consent under this chapter is not required to use the process created by the department under this section to obtain the consent.