By Chisum H.B. No. 3134
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the ability of the Hutchinson County Hospital District
1-3 to purchase liability insurance, expend district funds, and to
1-4 borrow funds.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Chapter 77, Acts of the 71st Legislature, 1989,
1-7 by amending Section 4.03(d) as follows:
1-8 (d) After the initial election of directors, an election
1-9 shall be held on the first Saturday in May each year and the
1-10 appropriate number of successor directors shall be elected for
1-11 <two> three-year terms. The commissioners court shall annually
1-12 within 10 days of the date that elected directors are elected
1-13 appoint the appropriate number of directors. The commissioners
1-14 court may not appoint a person to serve more than two successive
1-15 terms.
1-16 SECTION 2. Chapter 77, Acts of the 71st Legislature, 1989,
1-17 by adding Section 5.16 as follows:
1-18 Sec. 5.16. INSURANCE. (a) The board may purchase and
1-19 maintain liability insurance for an officer, director, board
1-20 appointee, member of the medical staff, or district employee to
1-21 protect the person from any liability that arises from performing
1-22 duties for the district or at a district facility.
1-23 (b) The board may enter into and perform an agreement to
2-1 defend or indemnify an officer, director, board appointee, member
2-2 of the medical staff, or district employee in relation to a claim,
2-3 cost, expense, or liability incurred as a result of performing
2-4 duties for the district or at a district facility. The board may
2-5 establish a self-insurance program to fund an indemnity obligation.
2-6 SECTION 3. Chapter 77, Acts of the 71st Legislature, 1989,
2-7 by adding Section 5.17 as follows:
2-8 Sec. 5.17. FUNDS FOR RECRUITING AND FOR HEALTH CARE
2-9 EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) The board may spend district funds, enter
2-10 into agreements, and take other necessary actions to recruit
2-11 physicians and other persons for appointment to the district's
2-12 medical staff or for employment with the district, including:
2-13 (1) advertising and marketing;
2-14 (2) paying travel, recruiting, and relocation
2-15 expenses;
2-16 (3) providing a loan or scholarship if the physician
2-17 or other person is currently enrolled in health care education
2-18 courses at an institution of higher education and contractually
2-19 agrees to become a district employee or a member of the medical
2-20 staff; and
2-21 (4) providing on a rent free basis or subsidizing the
2-22 cost of office space or other facilities for a health care
2-23 professional, including a physician.
2-24 (b) The board may spend district funds, enter into
2-25 agreements, and take other necessary actions to conduct,
3-1 participate in, or otherwise assist in the provision of health care
3-2 educational programs for current or prospective staff members or
3-3 employees.
3-4 SECTION 4. Chapter 77, Acts of the 71st Legislature, 1989,
3-5 by adding Section 5.18 as follows:
3-6 Sec. 5.18. BORROWING FUNDS. The board may borrow money to
3-7 pay the district's operating expenses in an amount not to exceed
3-8 the amount of tax or other revenue the district expects to receive
3-9 during the fiscal year in which the money is borrowed. The
3-10 district may pledge all or part of the tax or other revenue
3-11 received during that fiscal year to repay the indebtedness.
3-12 SECTION 5. This Act takes effect on September 1, 1995.
3-13 SECTION 6. The importance of this legislation and the crowed
3-14 condition of the calendars in both houses create an emergency and
3-15 an imperative public necessity that the constitutional rule
3-16 requiring bills to be read on three several days in each house be
3-17 suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.