SRC-JXG S.B. 1857 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1857
By: Shapleigh
Border Affairs - Special
6/29/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, efforts to exchange health information between Texas and Mexico
are not delivering their full potential. Increased efforts to remove
barriers to exchange information and expand institutionalized binational
health programs would help improve the health of residents of the
TexasMexico border region. Improving disease detection and surveillance in
Mexico would help U.S. health officials by providing early warning of
disease outbreaks. S.B. 1857 will require the Texas Department of Health to
study the state laws inhibiting the exchange of health-related information
and equipment between Texas and the United Mexican States. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 1857 allows the Texas Department of Health to study state
laws governing the exchange of health information and equipment between
Texas and the United Mexican States.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to study state
laws inhibiting the exchange of information on disease and epidemiological
reporting between Texas and the United Mexican States, and cross-border
exchange of equipment and personnel to provide technical assistance and to
enhance the capacity of Texas and the United Mexican States to obtain and
exchange the information. Authorizes TDH to appoint an advisory committee
under Chapter 2110, Government Code, to assist it to perform its duties
under this Act. Requires TDH to issue a report describing TDH's
recommendations to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives, no later than January 15, 2001. Provides that this section
expires September 1, 2001. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.