By:  Staples                                                      S.B. No. 1642


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a geriatric education and care 
research center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at 
Tyler.
	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 RURAL 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 Rural 
Geriatric Studies.
	(b)  The board may establish the East Texas Center for Rural 
Geriatric Studies at The University of Texas Health Science Center 
at Tyler for purposes of:
		(1)  researching issues in geriatrics, gerontology, 
and long-term care for the elderly, with an emphasis on the elderly 
living in rural and nonmetropolitan areas; and
		(2)  providing related resources in East Texas and 
other rural areas in this state for training and research for:
			(A)  professionals in medicine, including 
psychiatry, and in nursing, pharmacy, and allied health fields who 
provide health care to the elderly;
			(B)  caregivers and advocates for the elderly; and                    
			(C)  individuals employed by agencies that 
provide services to the elderly.
	(c)  The organization, control, and oversight of the center 
are vested in the board.
	(d)  If the board establishes the center, the board shall:              
		(1)  provide for the employment of staff and an 
operating budget for the center; and
		(2)  select a site for the center at The University of 
Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.
	(e)  The center may solicit, accept, and administer gifts and 
grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of 
the center.
	(f)  Establishment of the center is subject to the 
availability of federal funding, gifts, grants, or other funding 
for that purpose.
	(g)  An employee of the center is an employee of The 
University of Texas System.
	(h)  The center may enter into an agreement with a public or 
private entity to operate or participate in the operation 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.