SRC-ARR H.B. 1748 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1748 76R10001 KLA-DBy: Van de Putte (Madla) Health Services 5/2/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Health operates two hospitals that provide tuberculosis services, the Texas Center for Infectious Diseases in San Antonio and the South Texas Hospital in Harlingen. Both hospitals are at risk of losing accreditation due to aging and deteriorating buildings and lack of adequate operating funds. H.B. 1748 would set forth a long-range plan for the Texas Center for Infectious Disease and the provision of tuberculosis and communicable infectious disease health care and laboratory services. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1748 sets forth a long-range plan for the Texas Center for Infectious Disease and the provision of tuberculosis and communicable infectious disease health care and laboratory services. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. RENOVATION OR CONSTRUCTION OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES OF TEXAS CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES. Requires the Texas Board of Health (board) to contract for certain renovation and construction. Requires the board to specify that the renovations include structural and design changes required for certain actions, if the board contracts for the renovation of the existing physical facilities under Subsection (a)(1). Requires the board to take certain action if the board contracts for the construction of new physical facilities under Subsection (a)(2). SECTION 2. TUBERCULOSIS AND COMMUNICABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASE HEALTH CARE SERVICES. Authorizes the board to contract with the board of regents of The University of Texas System (board of regents) or any other entities or health care professionals who will provide tuberculosis health care services and communicable infectious disease health care services, as designated by the commissioner of public health, at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease or at another health care facility in proximity to the center. SECTION 3. MYCOBACTERIAL-MYCOLOGY RESEARCH LABORATORY. Sets forth the requirements for the construction of a mycobacterial-mycology research laboratory. SECTION 4. STATEWIDE COORDINATION OF MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS. Requires the board to contract with the board of regents for the coordination of medical management of tuberculosis throughout this state by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Authorizes the contract to require that the statewide coordination of medical management include certain provisions. SECTION 5. AGREEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PATIENTS. Sets forth requirements for an agreement for transportation of communicable diseases patients. SECTION 6. DISPLACED EMPLOYEES OF TEXAS CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE. Sets forth requirements for displaced employees of the Texas Center for Infectious Disease. SECTION 7. FUTURE USE OF EXISTING FACILITIES. Requires the board and the General Services Commission to collaborate to prepare leasing and other options for potential future uses of the existing physical facilities on completion of construction of the new physical facilities, if the board contracts for a new physical facility. SECTION 8. SCHEDULE. Sets forth the schedule for certain agencies to enter a contract. SECTION 9. AMENDMENT. Amends Chapter 814, Government Code, by adding Section 814.1042, as follows: Sec. 814.1042. TEMPORARY SERVICE RETIREMENT OPTION FOR MEMBERS AFFECTED BY CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. Provides that this section applies only to members of the employee class whose positions with the Texas Department of Health at the Texas Center for Infectious Diseases are eliminated and who separate from state service as result of certain actions. Sets forth requirements for person eligible for retirement. Provides that this section applies only to positions eliminated on or after the effective date of this section. SECTION 10. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.