78R7907 KKA-D

By:  Menendez                                                     H.B. No. 1676



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to Internet access to information on prescription drug 
prices.     
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 531.0317, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subsections (c-1) and (g) to read as follows:
	(c-1)  The Internet site must also contain a listing of the 
prices of prescription drugs available through the medical 
assistance program under the vendor drug program and links to any 
other appropriate sites through which prescription drugs may be 
purchased at a discount or through which a person may obtain 
information regarding prescription drug prices.
	(g)  The commission shall ensure that the Texas Department on 
Aging or any successor to that agency provides on its Internet site 
links to any other appropriate Internet sites through which 
prescription drugs may be purchased at a discount or through which a 
person may obtain information regarding prescription drug prices.  
The links provided must be comparable to the links provided on the 
commission's Internet site in accordance with Subsection (c-1).
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.