By Nelson                                               S.B. No. 94
         77R1004 ATP-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to local government plans to respond to bioterrorism.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Section 418.106, Government Code, is amended by
 1-5     adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
 1-6           (d)  A local or interjurisdictional agency shall specifically
 1-7     provide in its emergency management plan for disaster mitigation,
 1-8     preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of an intentional
 1-9     release of a harmful bacterium or virus. In developing these plans,
1-10     the local or interjurisdictional agency may consult with the Texas
1-11     Department of Health.
1-12           SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code,
1-13     is amended by adding Section 81.096 to read as follows:
1-14           Sec. 81.096.  EXPERTISE OF DEPARTMENT IN ADDRESSING
1-15     BIOTERRORISM; ADVICE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. The department shall
1-16     develop expertise on responding to the intentional release of a
1-17     harmful virus or bacterium and provide advice to municipalities and
1-18     counties in their development and implementation of emergency
1-19     management plans.
1-20           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-21     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-22     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-23     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-24     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.