BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1192 By: Berlanga 3-21-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, 199 VISTA volunteers and an average of 1,700 community volunteers per month are building a framework of health-service delivery targeted to mothers and children in 39 Texas communities. However, the level of effort is inadequate. There is a need for expansion of services to the entire family and a need to increase the number of areas served. Most Texas communities are not served by this program. Nearly 320,000 births occur statewide each year. Furthermore, in most communities there is lack of coordination among public, private, non-profit, and individual efforts to improve health. This fragmented approach limits the effectiveness of service delivery to those who need it most. The proposed Texas Volunteer Health Corps would link a wide range of local health professionals and providers, community groups, and private citizens in efforts to change risky behavioral patterns and help individuals understand how to improve their health status. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1192 requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to establish the Texas Volunteer Health Corps, authorizes TDH to employ coordinators to oversee the volunteer efforts, defines the areas in which volunteers may assist individuals and communities, requires TDH to encourage health care professionals to serve as mentors within the Corps and authorizes TDH to provide relevant public information as appropriate. 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. Adds Subchapter H to Chapter 12, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Section 12.091. TEXAS VOLUNTEER HEALTH CORPS. (a) Requires TDH to establish the Texas Volunteer Health Corps. (b) Requires the Corps to connect volunteers with local residents to involve the residents in preventive health care, in expanding their decision-making role about their own health, and in building community support for public health. Section 12.092. COORDINATORS. (a) Allows TDH to employ coordinators to recruit, train, and refer volunteers. (b) Allows a coordinator to apply for grants from public or private sources for the purposes of this subchapter. Section 12.093. VOLUNTEERS. (a) Declares that Health Corps volunteers may include high school or college students, senior citizens, AFDC JOBS participants, VISTA and AmeriCorps volunteers, and volunteers from business and community networks. (b) Describes the activities volunteers may participate in for the purposes of building healthy communities. Section 12.094. VITAL HEALTH CARE ISSUES. (a) Allows TDH to identify vital health care issues and includes specific examples. (b) Permits the Volunteer Health Corps to address a vital health care issue if a local community identifies the issue as a priority. Section 12.095. MENTORS. Requires TDH to encourage health care professionals to volunteer as mentors within the Corps. Section 12.096. INFORMATION. Permits TDH to provide public health information materials as needed by the Corps. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective immediately. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 1192 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public hearing on March 21, 1995. The following persons testified in favor of the bill: Dr. Ramiro R. Casso, representing self. Toņa L. Vasquez, representing self. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 8 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, 1 Absent.