SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 602 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 602
76R10292 MCK-DBy: Moncrief
Health Services
3/24/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

The last Sunset Advisory Commission report on the Texas Department of
Health (TDH) concluded that it has not maximized input from stakeholders
and other experts during the development and evaluation of rules. TDH did
not involve pediatricians or the Interagency Council for Genetic Services
during the development of a change to newborn screening rules adopted in
February 1998. C.S.S.B. 602 sets forth the guidelines for  the membership
of the Texas Board of Health and the membership and powers of the
Interagency Council for Genetic Services. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 602 sets forth the membership  and powers of the
Interagency Council for Genetic Services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Interagency Council for Genetic
Services in SECTION 3 (Section 134.002(a), Chapter 134, Human Resource
Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 134.001(b) and (c), Human Resources Code, to
provide that the Interagency Council for Genetic Services (council)
consists of a representative of the Texas Department of Insurance, rather
than Human Services, appointed by the commissioner of insurance, rather
than human services. Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 134, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
134.002, as follows: 

Sec. 134.002. RULES. Authorizes the council to adopt rules to implement
this chapter. Requires a state agency that is a member of the council to
work in coordination with the council when initiating, considering, or
proposing a rule relating to human genetics or human genetic services. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 134.003(b), Human Resources Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 134.004, Human Resources Code, to set forth
requirements for the council, including surveying current resources for
human genetic services, and working in coordination with the state agencies
named in Sections 134.001(b)(1), (2), and (3) when the agency initiates,
considers, or proposes a rule relating to human genetics or human genetic
services.Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 5. Section 134.005(b), Human Resources Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 6. Section 134.006, Human Resources Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 8. Emergency clause.

 SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Deletes proposed changes to Section 11.005(a), Health and Safety Code, and
redesignates SECTION 2 as SECTION 1. Amends Section 134.001, by deleting
Subsection (d), regarding election annual elections by members of the
council.  

SECTION 2. 

Amends Section 134.002, Human Resources Code,  to require a state agency
that is a member of the council to work in coordination with the council
when initiating, considering, or proposing a rule relating to human
genetics or human genetic services. Deletes a provision prohibiting a state
agency that is a member of the council from adopting a rule relating to
genetics or genetic services unless the rule is initiated by the council.
Redesignates SECTION 3 as SECTION 2. 

SECTION 3.

 Redesignates SECTION 4 as SECTION 3.

SECTION 4.

Amends Section 134.004, Human Resources Code, to set forth requirements for
the council, including surveying current resources for human genetic
services, and working in coordination with the state agencies named in
Sections 134.001(b)(1), (2), and (3) when the agency initiates, considers,
or proposes a rule relating to human genetics or human genetic services.
Deletes text requiring the council to propose rules to the state agencies
named in Sections 134.001(b)(1), (2), and (3) that the council considers
necessary to assist the council in fulfilling its duties under this
section. Makes conforming changes. Redesignated from SECTION 5. 

SECTION 5-8.

 Redesignated from SECTIONS 6-9.