By:  Zaffirini, Truan                                 S.B. No. 1431
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to the provision of emergency medical services.
    1-2        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-3        SECTION 1.  Section 773.021, Health and Safety Code, is
    1-4  amended to read as follows:
    1-5        Sec. 773.021.  STATE PLAN.  (a)  The bureau shall develop a
    1-6  state plan for the prompt and efficient delivery of adequate
    1-7  emergency medical services to acutely sick or injured persons.
    1-8        (b)  The state plan must include an emergency radio
    1-9  communication plan to be used by local governments and districts
   1-10  that provide emergency medical services to develop an emergency
   1-11  radio communication network linking emergency medical services
   1-12  providers with local hospitals or trauma centers.
   1-13        (c)  The advisory council shall consider the bureau's actions
   1-14  under Subsection (a), and the board shall review the council's
   1-15  recommendations.
   1-16        SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
   1-17  Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0215 to read as follows:
   1-18        Sec. 773.0215.  PLAN FOR STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
   1-19  FORCE.  (a)  The bureau shall develop a plan to establish a
   1-20  statewide emergency medical services force composed of volunteers
   1-21  trained and recruited by the department and supported by
   1-22  state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and training.
   1-23        (b)  The plan must include proposals to provide support and
   1-24  assistance to local governments and districts that provide
    2-1  emergency medical services in this state.
    2-2        (c)  In developing the plan created by this section, the
    2-3  bureau may appoint a task force.  A member of the task force is not
    2-4  entitled to receive compensation for service on the task force or
    2-5  reimbursement for travel expenses while serving on the task force.
    2-6        (d)  Not later than December 1, 1996, the bureau shall report
    2-7  to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
    2-8  representatives, and members of the legislature with respect to:
    2-9              (1)  the plan developed under this section;
   2-10              (2)  any comments the bureau may have with respect to
   2-11  the plan, including whether the bureau believes the plan should be
   2-12  implemented; and
   2-13              (3)  any legislation required to implement the plan.
   2-14        (e)  This section expires January 16, 1997.
   2-15        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   2-16  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   2-17  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-18  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-19  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   2-20  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   2-21  passage, and it is so enacted.