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.