SRC-VRA, MLC C.S.S.B. 160 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 160
78R8662 YDB-DBy: Nelson
Health and Human Services
4/16/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current Texas law does not address the need for educating individuals
regarding anatomical gifts.  C.S.S.B. 160 requires the Texas Department of
Health to develop a program to educate health care providers and attorneys
on human organ donation and encourages medical and nursing schools to
include organ donation education classes in their curriculum.  

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 Chapter 49, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
49.002, as follows: 

Section 49.002.  EDUCATION FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND ATTORNEYS.  (a)
Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to develop an educational
program regarding anatomical gifts for health care providers and attorneys
in Texas.   
  
(b)  Requires TDH through the program to encourage attorneys to provide to
individuals seeking legal counsel for end-of-life decisions organ donation
information.   

(c)  Requires TDH to encourage medical and nursing schools in Texas to
include mandatory organ donation education in their curricula.   

(d)  Requires TDH to encourage medical schools in Texas to require a
physician in either a neurology or neurosurgery residency program to
complete an advanced course in organ donation education.   

(e)  Requires TDH to implement the program only to the extent that certain
factors are met. 

 SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.