HBA-JEK H.B. 2669 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2669
By: Janek
Public Health
3/22/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The vaccines for children program was developed to support efforts to
increase childhood immunization levels by providing publicly purchased
vaccines to eligible children under the age of 18.  The Texas Department of
Health (TDH) is currently responsible for the purchase and distribution of
vaccines for the program.  In most cases, the vaccines are shipped directly
from the manufacturer to TDH's pharmacy and then distributed at the
regional or local levels before they are delivered to individual health
care providers. Many vaccinations can spoil if they are handled or stored
improperly.  House Bill 2669 requires TDH to explore the possibility that a
private entity could more effectively and efficiently store and distribute
the vaccinations used in the vaccinations for children program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2669 requires the Texas Department of Health to develop and
distribute by January 1, 2002 a request for information from private
entities to determine whether a private entity could more effectively and
efficiently store and distribute the vaccinations used in the vaccines for
children program.  The bill expires September 1, 2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.