SRC-TJG S.B. 739 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 739 By: Ellis, Rodney Health & Human Services 6/5/2003 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE In 1999, the 76th Texas Legislature established a newborn hearing screening program in the State of Texas. The legislation requires that a screening test for hearing loss be administered to newborn children, and establishes a newborn hearing, tracking, and screening program. Data in the tracking system required by law is confidential. S.B. 739 clarifies that aggregate data about performance measures and outcomes of the program is not confidential and may be disclosed. 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 47.008, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (d), to provide that statistical or aggregated information that is about activities conducted under this chapter and that could not be used to individually identify a newborn, infant, or patient or a parent or guardian of a newborn, infant, or patient is not confidential. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.