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.