SRC-JEC S.B. 1285 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1285
78R5382 DLF-DBy: Gallegos
Health & Human Services
4/30/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas has a successful birth defects registry program.  As
proposed, S.B. 1285 strengthens the registry by requiring its existence,
rather than authorizing it. 

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 87.021(a), Health and Safety Code, to require,
rather than authorize, the Texas Board of Health to establish in the Texas
Department of Health a program to identify and investigate certain birth
defects in children, and maintain a central registry of cases of birth
defects. 

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