SRC-MKV H.B. 757 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 757 By: Coleman (Bernsen) Health & Human Services 4/11/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE In 1993, the 73rd Texas Legislature mandated the creation of the Office of Minority Health and Cultural Competency (OMH/CC). OMH/CC's mission is promoting and coordinating initiatives designed to improve the health of all minority and disadvantaged populations in Texas. Since the inception of OMH/CC several programs have been created to address health disparities. The operation of these initiatives has generated new opportunities to eliminate health and health access disparities in Texas. H.B. 757 establishes the health disparities task force, which is charged with consulting with the Texas Department of Health and OMH/CC in eliminating health and health access disparities in Texas among multicultural, disadvantaged, and regional populations. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 2E, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 107, as follows: CHAPTER 107. HEALTH DISPARITIES TASK FORCE Sec. 107.001. DEFINITION. Defines "task force." Sec. 107.002. PURPOSE. Provides that the purpose of the task force is to assist the Texas Department of Health (department) in accomplishing certain goals. Sec. 107.003. DUTIES. (a) Requires the task force to perform certain tasks relating to health and health access disparities. (b) Requires the task force, in performing the duties described in Subsection (a), to consult with the department, the Office of Minority Health and Cultural Competency, women's health offices of the department, and any other relevant division of the department. Sec. 107.004. REPORT. Requires the task force to submit an annual report on the progress of the department in accomplishing the goals described by Section 107.002 to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives. Authorizes this report to be combined with any other report required of the department by law. Sec. 107.005. COMPOSITION. (a) Sets forth the composition of the task force. (b) Requires each of the members appointed under Subsection (a) to represent one of the following areas: business, labor, government, charitable or community organizations, racial or ethnic populations, or community-based health organizations. (c) Requires members appointed under Subsection (a) to represent both urban and rural areas of this state, including urban and rural areas of the state adjacent to the border with the United Mexican States. (d) Requires the governor to designate a member of the committee to serve as presiding officer. (e) Provides that members serve staggered two-year terms and that four or five members' terms expire February 1 of each year. (f) Requires that an appointment to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term of a member be made not later than the 90th day after the date the position becomes vacant. Sec. 107.006. MEETINGS. Requires the task force to meet at the call of the presiding officer. Sec. 107.007. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. Provides that a task force member is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660 (Travel Expenses), Government Code, and the General Appropriations Act. Sec. 107.008. PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES. Provides that the task force is administratively attached to the department. Requires the department to provide the necessary staff and facilities to assist the task force in performing its duties. Sec. 107.009. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the task force. SECTION 2. Requires the terms of the initial members of the health disparities task force to be determined by lot so that five members' terms expire February 1, 2003, and four members' terms expire February 1, 2004. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.