By McClendon                                            H.B. No. 26
         77R304 DLF-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the study of barriers to the binational exchange of
 1-3     health information.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  (a)  The Texas Department of Health shall study
 1-6     state laws inhibiting the:
 1-7                 (1)  exchange of information on disease and
 1-8     epidemiological reporting between Texas and the United Mexican
 1-9     States; and
1-10                 (2)  cross-border exchange of equipment and personnel
1-11     to provide technical assistance and to enhance the capacity of
1-12     Texas and the United Mexican States to obtain and exchange the
1-13     information.
1-14           (b)  The Texas Department of Health may appoint an advisory
1-15     committee under Chapter 2110, Government Code, to assist it to
1-16     perform its duties under this Act.
1-17           (c)  Not later than January 15, 2003, the Texas Department of
1-18     Health shall issue a report describing the department's
1-19     recommendations to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the
1-20     house of representatives.
1-21           (d)  This section expires September 1, 2003.