BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 639
87R19193 MCF-F	By: White et al. (Schwertner)
	Local Government
	5/18/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Emergency services districts are not currently authorized to implement mobile integrated health care community paramedicine programs. These programs may help reduce the costs that the districts and their taxpayers incur for unnecessary emergency medical transport and could simultaneously improve health care for at-risk individuals in rural and suburban Texas communities by providing such services as immunizations, screenings, checkups, and patient counseling. H.B. 639 seeks to expand an emergency services district's authority to provide for these programs, as was recommended by the House Committee on County Affairs in its interim report to the 86th Legislature.

H.B. 639 amends current law relating to the authority of an emergency services district to provide preventive health care services and authorizes a fee.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 775.0311, as follows:

Sec. 775.0311.� PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES.� (a) Provides that this section applies to a district that is licensed as or contracts with:

(1)  an emergency medical services provider under Chapter 773 (Emergency Medical Services); or

(2)  a first responder organization under Chapter 773.

(b) Defines "preventive health care services" for purposes of Section 775.0311.

(c) Authorizes an emergency services district (district), if approved by the commissioners court of each county in which the district is located, to provide preventive health care services to reduce reliance on 9-1-1 transports and systems for routine health care, contract with the state or a local government, as provided by Section 775.0366 (Service Contracts), to provide those services, and charge a reasonable fee for performing those services for or on behalf of a person or entity, as provided by Section 775.040 (Fees for Providing Services).

(d) Provides that a reference in this chapter to the district providing emergency services includes preventive health care services.

(e) Authorizes a district to make necessary improvements and adopt rules and regulations for the purposes of this section.

(f) Requires that a district in a county with a population of less than 60,000 obtain approval from the county commissioners court prior to providing services under this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.