DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1) "Health care provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 34.001.

(2) "Perinatal palliative care" means the provision of comprehensive, supportive care to reduce the suffering of a woman who is pregnant or delivers a child, her unborn child or infant, and her family, from diagnosis of the unborn child's life-threatening or life-limiting illness or medical condition through the duration of the perinatal period and possible death as a result of the illness or condition. The care may be provided concurrently with methods of treatment or therapies that seek to cure or minimize the effects of the illness or condition. The term:

(A) includes medical, social, and mental health care, including counseling regarding treatment options, education, informed consent, and expression of desires, and health care provided by maternal-fetal medical specialists, obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesia specialists, specialty nurses, clergy, social workers, and other individuals focused on alleviating fear and pain and ensuring the woman, her unborn child or infant, and her family experience a supportive environment; and

(B) does not include an act or omission intended to cause or hasten an unborn child's death.

(3) "Perinatal period" means the period beginning at conception and ending on an infant's first birthday.