By Van de Putte H.B. No. 3059 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the provision by certain health care facilities of 1-3 security devices involving the use of video surveillance equipment 1-4 for the safety and protection of patients, employees and visitors. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Section 242 of V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, 1-7 is amended by adding Section 242.0395 to read as follows: 1-8 Section 242.0395: Safety. 1-9 (1) The department shall study and conduct a pilot 1-10 project involving the use video surveillance equipment in public 1-11 areas of a nursing facility to be used to ensure the safety of 1-12 patients, employees and visitors. The department shall prepare and 1-13 provide a report to the 75th Legislature regarding their results, 1-14 including cost and reimbursement methodology. 1-15 (2) A facility utilizing video surveillance equipment 1-16 shall not be prohibited from introducing the video surveillance 1-17 tapes into evidence in a hearing involving licensure and/or 1-18 certification of the facility. 1-19 (3) The department may promulgate rules relating to 1-20 the use of video surveillance equipment in public areas of a 1-21 nursing facility. 1-22 (4) The department may require and promulgate rules 1-23 for a training program in the use of video surveillance equipment 2-1 in the public areas of a nursing facility. 2-2 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-5 constitutional rule requiring bills be read on three several days 2-6 in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.