BWH S.B. 1623 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
S.B. 1623
By: Duncan (Isett)
5-12-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, based on an opinion issued by the attorney general, the Lubbock
County Hospital District has ceased its funding of the medical examiners
office, which had been funded through an interlocal agreement between the
hospital district and the Lubbock County Commissioners Court, and in part,
provided for non-salary expenses, including the transportation of bodies,
office space, supplies, laboratory services, radiology services, and
photography.  In 1995 and again in 1997, in response to a request for
reconsideration submitted by the county and the hospital district, the
attorney general concluded that a county hospital district is not
authorized to fund the salary and expenses of the medical examiner's
office because the purpose of that office is to determine whether the
death of a person under certain circumstances was caused by an unlawful
act or omission, which is not a hospital purpose.  S.B. 1623 would amend
the hospital district's enabling statute to address the attorney general's
concerns by allowing the hospital district to fund that portion of the
medical examiner's office that is unrelated to criminal death
investigations.   

PURPOSE

This legislation establishes the power of the Lubbock County Hospital
District to provide facilities and hospital-related equipment, supplies,
and services to Lubbock County for the use of the medical examiner's
office.   

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 10, Chapter 484, Acts of the 60th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1967, to require the board of managers, with the approval
of the commissioners court, to provide office space, equipment, supplies,
and services for the use of the county medical examiner's office for
medical, hospital, and other non-criminal investigation related purposes. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.