SRC-TJG S.B. 739 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 739
78R851 JRD-DBy: Ellis, Rodney
Health & Human Services
3/24/2003
As Filed


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.  As proposed, 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.