78R6475 JRJ-D

By:  Merritt                                                      H.B. No. 1785



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a geriatric education and care 
research center for the Texas-Louisiana border region.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter K, Chapter 74, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 74.604 to read as follows:
	Sec. 74.604.  EAST TEXAS CENTER FOR BORDER REGION GERIATRIC 
STUDIES.  (a)  In this section:
		(1)  "Board" means the board of regents of The 
University of Texas System.
		(2)  "Center" means the East Texas Center for Border 
Region Geriatric Studies.
		(3)  "Texas-Louisiana border region" has the meaning 
assigned by Section 2056.002, Government Code.
	(b)  The board may establish the East Texas Center for Border 
Region Geriatric Studies at The University of Texas Health Science 
Center at Tyler for purposes of:
		(1)  researching issues in the Texas-Louisiana border 
region that are related to geriatrics, gerontology, and long-term 
care for the elderly; and
		(2)  providing resources in the Texas-Louisiana border 
region for training and research for:
			(A)  professionals in medicine, nursing, 
pharmacy, and allied health;
			(B)  caregivers and advocates for the elderly; and                    
			(C)  individuals employed by agencies that adopt 
rules affecting the elderly.
	(c)  The organization, control, and management of the center 
are vested in the board.
	(d)  If the board establishes the center, the board:                    
		(1)  shall provide for the employment of staff and an 
operating budget for the center;
		(2)  shall select a site in the Texas-Louisiana border 
region for the center; and
		(3)  may solicit, accept, and administer gifts and 
grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of 
the center.
	(e)  Establishment of the center is subject to the 
availability of federal funding or other funding for that purpose.  
The board may not use legislative appropriations, other than 
federal funds or gifts or grants subject to appropriation, to 
establish or operate the center.
	(f)  An employee of the center is an employee of The 
University of Texas System.
	(g)  The center may enter into an agreement or may cooperate 
with a public or private entity to perform the functions of the 
center.
	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.