SRC-LBB S.B. 401 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 401
78R1703 JRD-DBy: Van de Putte
Health & Human Services
3/20/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, licensed hospitals are required to test patients for hepatitis
B or C  following accidental exposure of a health care worker to a
patient's  blood or other body fluids.  As proposed, S.B. 401 clarifies
that in the case of accidental exposure of a health care worker, the
employing organization or the organization for which the person works as a
volunteer is responsible for paying the cost of the test, not the person
exposed. 

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 Section 81.095(b), Health and Safety Code, to delete
language referencing the person exposed as a person responsible for paying
the costs of a test for hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Makes nonsubstantive
changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.