SRC-CTC S.B. 280 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 280
77R1008 MCK-DBy: Nelson
Health & Human Services
3/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas operates a multi-tiered storage and distribution system
for the federally funded Vaccines for Children program.  The state could
potentially realize operating efficiencies by contracting with private
entities to store and distribute vaccines.  A detailed request for
information (RFI) could effectively survey the private market to determine
if a private entity would have the capacity to effectively accommodate the
storage and delivery of vaccinations for Texas children.  As proposed, S.B.
280 requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to develop and release an
RFI to private entities to assess their ability to assume the vaccine
storage and distribution function currently operated by TDH. 

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.  Defines "vaccines for children program."  Requires the Texas
Department of Health (TDH) to develop a request for information to
determine if private entities could more effectively and efficiently store
and distribute vaccinations used in the vaccines for children program.
Requires TDH to develop and distribute the request for information not
later than January 1, 2002.  Provides that this Act expires September 1,
2002. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.