SRC-SLL H.B. 2472 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2472
By: Maxey (Moncrief)
Health & Human Services
5-15-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Brain injury is a leading cause of death and injury in the United States.
Interpolating from national estimates, Texans suffer 144,000 brain
injuries per year and about 6,500 are severe and permanently disabling.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 was passed by Congress and signed
by the President in July of 1996.  This Act provides funding to states for
planning, demonstration, and surveillance.  In February 1997, Governor
Bush designated the Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities
as the agency responsible for developing the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury
Advisory Council.  Reliable data regarding brain injuries in Texas is
necessary in order to formulate policy with regard to traumatic brain
injury and to accurately assess and improve the state's brain injury
rehabilitation service delivery system.  This bill will provide
regulations regarding the reporting of certain injuries to the Texas
Department of Health. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2472 provides regulations regarding the reporting of
certain injuries to the Texas Department of Health. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 88.001, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subdivision (3), to define "traumatic brain injury." 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 88.002(a), Health and Safety Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 88.003(c), Health and Safety Code, to authorize
the Texas Board of Health (board) to require reports to contain any
information necessary to perform a longitudinal analysis to determine the
outcome of a person with a reportable injury.  Make a nonsubstantive
change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Sections 88.008(a) and (g), Health and Safety Code, to
provide that the technical advisory committee is entitled to review and
comment on the board's rules under Section 88.002(b), rather than Section
87.002(b), before the rules are proposed. Make a conforming change. 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 88.009, Health and Safety Code, to require the
Texas Department of Health and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission
to exchange relevant injury data on an ongoing basis notwithstanding
Section 88.006, rather than 87.006 of this chapter.  Makes conforming and
standard recodification changes. 

SECTION 6. Amends Chapter 88, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sections
88.010 and 88.011, as follows: 

Sec.  88.010.  COORDINATION WITH TEXAS REHABILITATION COMMISSION. Requires
the department and the Texas Rehabilitation Commission to enter into a
memorandum of understanding regarding certain activities. 
 
Sec.  88.011.  COORDINATION WITH TEXAS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ADVISORY
COUNCIL.  Requires the department and the Texas Brain Injury Advisory
Council to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding certain
activities. 

SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 8. Emergency clause.