BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 898 By: Rodriguez 2-21-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The San Antonio State Chest Hospital (SASCH) was created by the Texas Legislature in the early 1950s as one of several state hospitals specifically designated for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) patients. Over the next three decades, the development of anti-tubercular medications reduced the need for hospitalization of many TB patients, and the original 1,000-bed facility was gradually downsized accordingly. Simultaneously, the hospital began to treat non-TB patients and evolved into a hospital providing general health-care services to indigent persons. In the late 1980s, Texas and the rest of the country experienced a renewed increase in TB cases. The proportion of TB patients needing treatment at SASCH began to increase once again. At the same time, the hospital began developing special capabilities to treat other infectious diseases and received significant federal funding for research in non-tubercular mycobacterium disease. In 1994, the Texas Board of Health designated SASCH as the Texas Center for Infectious Disease (TCID) to reflect the change in the hospital's mission and activities. Texas law should be updated in accordance with the redesignation. The hospital presently uses both names. It is necessary for clarity and public recognition to make the new name official in state law. PURPOSE This bill will amend current law to reflect the Texas Board of Health's designation of the San Antonio State Chest Hospital as the Texas Center for Infectious Disease. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.004(a), Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 13.004(a) and (c), Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 3. Amends Sections 13.007, Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 4. Amends Section 13.008, Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 5. Amends Section 13.033(5), Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 6. Amends Section 13.071(a), Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 7. Amends Section 13.074(a), Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 8. Amends Section 553.022(b), Health and Safety Code, by striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 9. Establishes policies for the transition between the two names. SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 11. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 898 was considered in a public hearing on February 21, 1995. Testifying for the bill was Hugh N. Keel, representing San Antonio State Chest Hospital. No one testified against the bill. A motion to report H.B. 898 to the full House without amendment was made, with the recommendation that it do pass. The motion carried with a vote of 6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 3 Absent.