89R5595 JTZ-D

By: Alvarado S.B. No. 722

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a mobile stroke unit grant program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H-1. MOBILE STROKE UNIT GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 773.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(2) "Grant program" means the mobile stroke unit grant program established under this subchapter.

(3) "Mobile stroke unit" means a specialized emergency medical services vehicle that:

(A) is equipped with a mobile computed tomography scanner and other necessary medical equipment and medications for diagnosing and treating an individual who suffers a stroke;

(B) is staffed with personnel trained to diagnose and provide acute stroke treatment to an individual outside of a hospital setting; and

(C) has a neurologist on board the vehicle or available for consultation with the vehicle's personnel through a telemedicine medical service, as defined by Section 111.001, Occupations Code.

(4) "Stroke facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 773.202.

Sec. 773.222. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish and the commission shall administer a mobile stroke unit grant program to improve health care outcomes for individuals who suffer a stroke by providing financial assistance to stroke facilities and increasing the availability of mobile stroke units in this state.

Sec. 773.223. APPLICATION. A stroke facility that holds a comprehensive (Level 1) stroke designation from the department may apply to the commission for a grant award under the grant program.

Sec. 773.224. AWARD OF GRANTS. (a) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility criteria and a scoring system for the commission to award grants under the program.

(b) The commission may award grants under the program to eligible applicants.

(c) The commission may only award a grant in accordance with a contract between the commission and a grant recipient that includes conditions providing the commission with sufficient control to ensure the public purpose of improving public health is accomplished and the state receives a return benefit.

Sec. 773.225. USE OF GRANT MONEY. A grant recipient may use money awarded under the grant program only for the recipient's capital costs associated with procuring equipment necessary to operate a mobile stroke unit, including:

(1) a specialized emergency medical services vehicle;

(2) a mobile computed tomography scanner;

(3) medical equipment used in diagnosing or treating an individual who suffers a stroke; and

(4) any other equipment the commission considers necessary or appropriate.

Sec. 773.226. GRANT RECIPIENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT. A grant recipient shall annually submit to the commission a report on the recipient's use of grant money, including:

(1) the health outcomes of individuals treated by the recipient's mobile stroke units; and

(2) the recipient's operating expenses associated with operating mobile stroke units.

Sec. 773.227. FUNDING. The commission shall award grants as provided by this subchapter from available money and any additional money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 773.228. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source that are made for the purposes of the grant program.

SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.