LSL H.B. 889 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC HEALTH
H.B. 889
By: Craddick
3-5-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Texas Health and Safety Code provides for disclosure of a patient's
medical information without written authorization only in certain
instances. Currently, if a patient is unable to communicate, any
disclosure of information to their supporting clergy must come from the
family.   

PURPOSE

HB 889 adds the right of a patient's designated clergy person to be
informed of the patient's health care information.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 241.153, Health and Safety Code, by adding
subsection (11), which adds a member of the clergy, specifically
designated by the patient, to the list of health care information
disclosures permissible without a patient's written authorization.  Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act takes effect September 1, 1997 and is
applicable only to health information disclosed on or after that date.
Establishes that disclosures prior to that date are governed by existing
law, which is continued in effect for that purpose. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.