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.