SRC-JJJ S.B. 1378 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 1378 By: Shapleigh Border Affairs - Special 6/23/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, there are no free standing state or private medical schools in the Texas-Mexico border region. Residents of this region face many health challenges, including a shortage of health care providers and facilities, as well as sporadic outbreak of infectious diseases that are associated with underdeveloped nations. S.B. 1378 will require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with other medical professionals, to conduct a review of medical training needs in the Texas-Mexico border region. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 1378 requires the texas Higher Education Coordinating Board review of medical training needs in the Texas-Mexico border region. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Defines "border region." Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in consultation with certain agencies in the health field, to conduct a review of medical training needs of health care professionals in the border region. Establishes required conditions for THECB in conducting the review. Requires THECB and the Texas Department of Health to make recommendations on any action needed to address the medical training needs regarding certain issues in the border region. Requires THECB to report findings and recommendations for any necessary legislation needed to address conditions relating to health care professionals, facilities, and related needs in the border region to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house and the 77th Legislature, not later than January 1, 2001. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act expires January 2, 2001. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.