1-1  By:  Zaffirini                                        S.B. No. 1431
    1-2        (In the Senate - Filed March 13, 1995; March 20, 1995, read
    1-3  first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
    1-4  April 18, 1995, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
    1-5  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 18, 1995,
    1-6  sent to printer.)
    1-7  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1431               By:  Zaffirini
    1-8                         A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-9                                AN ACT
   1-10  relating to the provision of emergency medical services.
   1-11        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
   1-12        SECTION 1.  Section 773.021, Health and Safety Code, is
   1-13  amended to read as follows:
   1-14        Sec. 773.021.  STATE PLAN.  (a)  The bureau shall develop a
   1-15  state plan for the prompt and efficient delivery of adequate
   1-16  emergency medical services to acutely sick or injured persons.
   1-17        (b)  The state plan must include an emergency radio
   1-18  communication plan to be used by local governments and districts
   1-19  that provide emergency medical services to develop an emergency
   1-20  radio communication network linking emergency medical services
   1-21  providers with local hospitals or trauma centers.
   1-22        (c)  The advisory council shall consider the bureau's actions
   1-23  under Subsection (a), and the board shall review the council's
   1-24  recommendations.
   1-25        SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
   1-26  Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0215 to read as follows:
   1-27        Sec. 773.0215.  PLAN FOR STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
   1-28  FORCE.  (a)  The bureau shall develop a plan to establish a
   1-29  statewide emergency medical services force composed of volunteers
   1-30  trained and recruited by the department and supported by
   1-31  state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and training.
   1-32        (b)  The plan must include proposals to provide support and
   1-33  assistance to local governments and districts that provide
   1-34  emergency medical services in this state.
   1-35        (c)  In developing the plan created by this section, the
   1-36  bureau may appoint a task force.  A member of the task force is not
   1-37  entitled to receive compensation for service on the task force or
   1-38  reimbursement for travel expenses while serving on the task force.
   1-39        (d)  Not later than December 1, 1996, the bureau shall report
   1-40  to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
   1-41  representatives, and members of the legislature with respect to:
   1-42              (1)  the plan developed under this section;
   1-43              (2)  any comments the bureau may have with respect to
   1-44  the plan, including whether the bureau believes the plan should be
   1-45  implemented; and
   1-46              (3)  any legislation required to implement the plan.
   1-47        (e)  This section expires January 16, 1997.
   1-48        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-49  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-50  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   1-51  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   1-52  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   1-53  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   1-54  passage, and it is so enacted.
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