By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 486
	(In the Senate - Filed February 13, 2003; February 19, 2003, 
read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human 
Services; March 17, 2003, reported favorably by the following 
vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; March 17, 2003, sent to printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to immunization of children.                                       
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety 
Code, is amended by adding Sections 161.010 and 161.0105 to read as 
follows:
	Sec. 161.010.  INCREASE IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS.  (a)  The 
department shall develop new public-private partnerships and work 
with existing public-private partnership programs, including the 
Seniors and Volunteers Program For Childhood Immunization, to 
increase public and private awareness of and support for early 
childhood immunizations.
	(b)  The department shall work with the Texas Education 
Agency to increase immunization awareness and participation among 
parents of preschool and school-age children by:
		(1)  jointly applying for federal funds for 
immunization awareness and vaccination programs; and
		(2)  creating partnerships with public and private 
health, service, and education organizations, including 
parent-teacher associations, the United Way, schools, local 
businesses, community-based organizations, chambers of commerce, 
and athletic booster clubs, to increase awareness and participation 
in the state's early childhood vaccination program.
	Sec. 161.0105.  LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.  (a)  A health care 
provider who acts in compliance with Sections 161.007 and 161.008 
and any rules adopted under those sections is not civilly or 
criminally liable for furnishing the information required under 
those sections.  This subsection does not apply to criminal 
liability established under Section 161.009.
	(b)  A person who administers a vaccination under a 
department program may be held liable only to the extent the person 
would be liable if the person administered the vaccination outside 
the program.  The person is not liable for damages arising from the 
acts or omissions of another person acting under the program or the 
department.
	(c)  The immunity created by this section is in addition to 
any immunity created by Sections 161.001 and 161.007(g).
	SECTION 2.  Chapter 2056, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Section 2056.0022 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2056.0022.  IMMUNIZATIONS AWARENESS.  (a)  Each state 
agency that has contact with families in this state either in person 
or by telephone, mail, or the Internet shall include in the agency's 
strategic plan a strategy for increasing public awareness of the 
need for early childhood immunizations.
	(b)  The Texas Department of Health shall identify the state 
agencies to which this section applies and notify the agencies of 
their duty under this section.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           



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