SRC-ARR C.S.H.B. 1748 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1748
76R14298 KLA-DBy: Van de Putte (Madla)
Health Services
5/6/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.  C.S.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, C.S.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 DISEASE. Requires the Texas Board of Health (board)
to contract for certain renovation and construction, including the
mycobacterial -mycology research laboratory facilities. 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). Makes conforming changes.  

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. 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 4. AGREEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PATIENTS.
Sets forth requirements for an agreement for transportation of communicable
diseases patients.  

SECTION 5. DISPLACED EMPLOYEES OF TEXAS CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE. Sets
forth requirements for displaced employees of the Texas Center for
Infectious Disease.  

 SECTION 6. FUTURE USE OF EXISTING FACILITIES. Requires the board, the
Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) and the
General Services Commission (GSC) 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 7. SCHEDULE. Requires the board to enter into the contracts
required by this Act, not later than September 1, 2000.  

SECTION 8. 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 (department) at the Texas Center for
Infectious Diseases are eliminated and who separate from state service as
result of certain actions. Sets forth requirements for a person eligible
for retirement. Provides that this section applies only to positions
eliminated on or after the effective date of this section. 

SECTION 9. CONTINGENT IMPLEMENTATION. Requires the department to implement
this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that
purpose. Prohibits the department from implementing this Act using other
appropriations available for the purpose, if the legislature does not
appropriate money specifically for that purpose.  

SECTION 10. Emergency clause. 
             Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends SECTION 1 to require the board to contract for certain renovation
and construction, including the mycobacterial-mycology research laboratory
facilities. Makes conforming changes.  

Deletes proposed SECTION 3 regarding a mycobacterial -mycology research
laboratory. Redesignates SECTIONS accordingly.  

SECTION 6. 

Amends SECTION 6 to require the board, MHMR, and GSC 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 7. 

 Amends SECTION 7 to delete text regarding certain provisions of the
schedule. 

SECTION 8. 

Amends SECTION 8 to delete text regarding the transfer of the
mycobacterial-mycology research laboratory to the University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio.  

SECTION 9. 

 Adds a new SECTION 9 regarding contingent implementation.