BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1928

                                                                                                                             By: Moreno, Joe E.

                                                                                                                                    County Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, Chapter 602, Government Code, sets out benefits and treatment for public safety employees who are exposed to contagious diseases in the line of duty.  Section 607.001 defines "public safety employee" as peace officers, fire fighters, or other emergency medical service employees of the state or a political subdivision of the state.  Detention officers or county jailers, who are not certified peace officers, are not included in this definition, however, these employees have day to day contact with people in custody who have contagious diseases.

 

H.B. 1928 would add detention officers and county jailers to the definition of "public safety employee" in Chapter 607 so that these employees would be covered by the contagious disease provisions of this statute.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.   Amends 607.001, Government Code, to include detention officers and county jailers in the definition of "public safety employee."

 

SECTION 2.   The changes in law made by this Act to Section 607.001, Government Code, apply only to an exposure to a contagious disease that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.

 

SECTION 3.   Effective Date

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005