SRC-TJG S.B. 525 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 525
78R3663 MTB-DBy: Shapleigh
Health & Human Services
3/7/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1983, the 65th Texas Legislature authorized all state agencies to
allocate funding for employee wellness programs.  However, eighty state
agencies have submitted wellness plans to the Texas Department of Health
(TDH).  As proposed, S.B. 525 requires each state agency to designate an
individual to be the wellness coordinator for the agency.  The wellness
coordinator is authorized to collaborate with other agencies and sources
to provide information and resources to employees.  A state agency with
fewer than 100 employees is authorized to partner with a larger agency,
such as TDH, to provide programs, and attain access to resources. 

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 664, Government Code, by adding Section
664.007, as follows: 

Sec. 664.007.  EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM.  (a) Requires each state agency
to designate an individual as the wellness coordinator for the agency.
Authorizes the wellness coordinator to collaborate with other agencies and
sources to provide information and resources to employees through bulletin
boards and e-mail.  Authorizes the employee wellness program to include
certain items and programs. 

(b) Authorizes a state agency with fewer than 100 employees to join with a
state agency with 100 employees or more to create a program under this
section and to share resources under the program. 

(c) Authorizes a state agency to consult with the Texas Department of
Health on wellness issues.   

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.