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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the office of health equity within the |
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Health and Human Services Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 107B to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 107B. OFFICE OF HEALTH EQUITY |
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Sec. 107B.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "office" means |
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the office of health equity established under this chapter. |
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Sec. 107B.002. OFFICE OF HEALTH EQUITY. (a) The executive |
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commissioner shall maintain an office of health equity within the |
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commission to: |
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(1) assume a leadership role in collaborating or |
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contracting with state and federal agencies, universities, private |
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interest groups, communities, foundations, and offices of minority |
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health in the development of health initiatives to decrease or |
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eliminate health and health access disparities and improve health |
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equity across the state, including rural and urban communities, |
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regardless of a person's race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status; |
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and |
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(2) maximize use of existing resources without |
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duplicating existing efforts. |
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(b) The health initiatives developed under Subsection (a) |
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must include initiatives to increase access to appropriate language |
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services in health care settings. |
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Sec. 107B.003. POWERS OF OFFICE. The office may: |
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(1) provide a central information and referral source, |
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including a clearinghouse for health disparities information, and |
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serve as the primary state resource in coordinating, planning, and |
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advocating access to health care services to eliminate health |
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disparities in this state; |
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(2) coordinate conferences and other training |
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opportunities to increase skills among state agencies and |
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government personnel in management and in the appreciation of |
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cultural diversity; |
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(3) pursue and administer grant funds for innovative |
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projects for communities, groups, and individuals; |
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(4) provide recommendations and training in improving |
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minority recruitment in state agencies; |
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(5) publicize information regarding health |
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disparities and minority health issues through the use of mass |
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media; |
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(6) network with existing minority organizations, |
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community-based health groups, and statewide health coalitions; |
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(7) solicit, receive, and spend grants, gifts, and |
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donations from public and private sources; and |
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(8) contract with public and private entities in the |
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performance of its responsibilities. |
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Sec. 107B.004. FUNDING. The commission may use existing |
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resources and solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from |
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any source to carry out the office's powers and perform the office's |
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duties. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |