SRC-CTC S.B. 216 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 216
77R1517 MTB-DBy: Bernsen
Education
2/16/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund (TIF) makes grants to provide
money for technology purchases to help develop the telecommunications
infrastructure that connects certain public entities and the public health
delivery system in Texas.  Telemedicine is the use of live or taped video
to examine a patient via satellite.  Currently, only non-profit centers can
apply for a TIF grant.  As proposed, S.B. 216 expands the use of TIF grants
for telemedical equipment to rural for-profit  entities so that more
facilities will participate in telemedicine. 

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 Section 57.042(7) and (11), Utilities Code, to define
"health care facility," rather than "public not-for-profit health care
facility."  Redefines "telemedicine." 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.