BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 482
                                                    By: Zaffirini
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                           3-9-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

A growing population, changing demographics and limited resources
create a challenge for Texas in the area of health services
delivery.  Recognizing the problems the state faces in ensuring
access to preventive care, the Texas Department of Health
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

As proposed, 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 grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 12, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subchapter H, as follows:

           SUBCHAPTER H.  TEXAS VOLUNTEER HEALTH CORPS

     Sec. 12.091.  TEXAS VOLUNTEER HEALTH CORPS.  (a) Requires the
     Texas Department of Health (department) 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 preventive
       health care and in decisions about their own health, and to
       increase support for public health.
     Sec. 12.092.  COORDINATORS.  (a) Authorizes the department 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.  VOLUNTEERS.  (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 (JOBS) training program, VISTA
     and AmeriCorps volunteers, and volunteers from business and
     community networks.
     
     (b) Authorizes corps volunteers to promote health, expand
       clients' capacity for self-help, make clinic appointments,
       arrange transportation, and identify and provide links to
       community resources.
     Sec. 12.094.  VITAL HEALTH CARE ISSUES.  (a) Authorizes the
     department to identify vital health care 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.  MENTORS.  Requires the department to encourage
     health care professionals to volunteer as corps mentors.
     
     Sec. 12.096.  INFORMATION.  Authorizes the department to
     provide public health information materials as needed by the
     corps.
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.