BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 482 By: Zaffirini (Berlanga) 04-11-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND A growing population, changing demographics and limited resources create a challenge for Texas in the area of health service delivery. Recognizing the problems the state faces in ensuring access to preventive care, the Texas Department of Health (TDH) continuously seeks new and innovative ways to provide and expand needed services. One way to do so is through the expansion of existing public and private partnerships. In most communities, however, public, private, non-profit, and individual efforts to improve health care are not coordinated. A fragmented approach may limit the effectiveness of service delivery to those who need it most. PURPOSE S.B. 482 creates and sets forth the duties of the Texas Volunteer Health Corps. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Adds Subchapter H, entitled "TEXAS VOLUNTEER HEALTH CORPS," to Chapter 12, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Sec. 12.091. (a) Requires the TDH to establish the Texas Volunteer Health Corps (Corps) to enhance community-based public health services. (b) Requires the Corps to connect volunteers with residents of communities to involve those residents in preventative health care and in decisions about their own health, and to increase support for public health. Sec. 12.092. (a) Authorizes the TDH to employ coordinators to recruit, train and refer volunteers for community service. (b) Authorizes a coordinator employed under this section to apply for grants from any source. Sec. 12.093. (a) Authorizes recruited volunteers to include students in high school or an institution of higher education, senior citizens, participants in the AFDC job opportunities and basic skills training program, VISTA, and AmeriCorps volunteers, and volunteers from business and community networks. (b) Authorizes the corps volunteers to promote health, expand client capacity for self-help, make clinic appointments, arrange transportation, and identify and provide links to community resources. Sec. 12.094. (a) Authorizes the TDH to identify vital health issues and sets forth examples of the issues. (b) Authorizes the Corps to address a vital health care issue if a community identifies it as a priority. Sec. 12.095. Requires the TDH to encourage health care professionals to volunteer as corps mentors. Sec. 12.096. Authorizes the TDH to provide public health information materials as needed by the Corps. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 482 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on April 11, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment by a record vote of 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, 4 Absent.