SRC-MKV S.B. 55 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 55
By: Zaffirini
Health and Human Services
5/22/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS) and the
Children's Trust Fund (CTF) coordinate programs to prevent Shaken Baby
Syndrome, but do not do the same with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and
other infant mortality issues.  S.B. 55 requires PRS and CTF develop and
implement an infant mortality prevention education program throughout the
state, using persons and organizations with specific experience.  This bill
also allows the use of CTF funds for an infant mortality prevention
education program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Board of Protective and
Regulatory Services and the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council in
SECTION 1 (Section 40.0523, Human Resources Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 40C, Human Resources Code, by renumbering
Section 40.0523 as Section 40.0524 and adding new Section 40.0523, as
follows: 

Section 40.0523.  INFANT MORTALITY PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM. Requires
the Children's Trust Fund of Texas (CTFTC) and the Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) to develop and implement a statewide
education program designed to prevent infant mortality.  Requires CTFTC and
TDPRS to develop a memorandum of understanding of their responsibilities in
the program.  Requires CTFTC and TDPRS to request the assistance of other
entities with specific knowledge of infant mortality prevention. Requires
TDPRS and the Board of Protective and Regulatory Services to adopt rules to
implement this section.  Redesignates Section 40.0523 to Section 40.0524. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 40.061(a), Human Resources Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 74.006(c), Human Resources Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Requires the CTFTC and TDPRS to implement the infant mortality
prevention  
            program by June 1, 2002.