SRC-AMY, MSY S.B. 118 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 118
78R1426 MCK-DBy: Zaffirini
Intergovernmental Relations
4/12/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law authorizes, but does not require, the establishment
of multidisciplinary and multiagency teams to review child deaths at the
county level.  Making the establishment of such teams mandatory could
provide more complete and accurate information about the causes and
circumstances of child deaths.  This information, along with increased
cooperation among local agencies, will help ensure appropriately targeted
prevention efforts and a decline in child mortality rates.  A recent study
indicated that Texas communities with review teams have more rapidly
declining death rates than similar communities without such teams.  As
proposed, S.B. 118 makes the establishment of such teams mandatory, and
puts the responsibility for setting up the teams in the hands of each
county's commissioners court. 

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 Sections 264.505 (a) and (b), Family Code, to require
the commissioners court of each county to appoint a multidisciplinary and
multiagency team to review child deaths in that county, and to authorize
the commissioners court of a county with a population under 50,000 to join
with adjacent counties when establishing a team.  Authorizes any person so
appointed to call the team's first organizational meeting, but deletes
language allowing members of the team to initiate the establishment of a
review team.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Effective date: September 1, 2003.

           (b) Requires the commissioners court of any county that does
not have a child  
  fatality review team to appoint one by December 1, 2003.

            (c) Makes the application of this Act prospective.