SRC-JEC H.B. 768 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 768
By: Maxey (Nelson)
Health & Human Services
4/24/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The HIV/AIDS Interagency Council was created by the 73rd Legislature to
facilitate communication and cooperation between agencies and associations
that provide HIV/AIDS  related services.  The Texas Department of Health
has recently reported that hepatitis infection has become a serious public
health concern.  H.B. 768 expands the scope of the council to include
hepatitis. 

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.  Transfers Section 85.017, Health and Safety Code, to Chapter
81A, Health and Safety Code, renumbers it as Section 81.010, Health and
Safety Code, and amends it as follows: 

Sec. 81.010.  New heading: INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR HIV AND
HEPATITIS.  (a) Defines "AIDS" and "HIV." 

(b) Provides that the Interagency Coordinating Council for HIV and
Hepatitis (council) facilitates communication between state agencies
concerning policies relating to AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis.  Deletes a
reference to the creation of the HIV/AIDS Interagency Coordinating Council. 

(c) Includes the Texas Department on Aging and the Texas Workforce
Commission to the list of agencies from which a representative serves as a
member of the council. 

(d) Requires all representatives appointed to the council to be directly
involved in policy or program activities related to services for AIDS, HIV,
or hepatitis, rather than AIDS and HIV services, for their respective
agencies. 

(f) Requires each agency that has a representative appointed to the council
to ensure that a representative of the agency attends at least three
quarterly council meetings each year. 

(g) Requires the council to provide an opportunity for interested members
of the public, including consumers and providers of health services, to
provide recommendations and information to the council during any meeting
at which the council intends to vote or votes on any matter and at least
one of any two consecutive quarterly meetings of the council. 

  (h) Makes conforming changes.

(i) Requires the council, not later than September 1 of each even-numbered
year, rather  than annually, to file a report with the legislature and
governor containing policy recommendations relating to prevention of AIDS,
HIV infection, and hepatitis, rather than plans for coordinated activities
that address issues and problems involved in AIDS and HIV infection.  Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.