BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deuell
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
During the 77th Session, House Bill 2446 established a pilot program to test the efficacy of using emergency medical dispatchers located in a regional emergency medical dispatch resource center to provide life‑saving and other emergency medical instructions to persons who need guidance while awaiting the arrival of emergency medical personnel.
The pilot program was not implemented in the biennium following the 77th session because the Comptroller's Office inadvertently failed to certify the appropriated funds. The 78th Legislature corrected this omission, extended the pilot for another two years, and provided additional options for funding the program. For several reasons the Texas Department of Health was unable to implement the pilot. SB 523 moves the pilot program and its responsibilities to the Area Health Education Center of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and extends the pilot program for another four years.
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
This bill amends Chapter 771 of the Health and Safety Code by moving the emergency medical dispatch resource center pilot program and its responsibilities from the Texas Department of State Health Services to the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
This bill also extends the expiration date to 2009, and requires a report to the legislature in 2007 and 2009. It also adds the advisory council and the Governor's office to the list of entities that receive the biennial report.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect immediately if it receives the necessary vote, otherwise it takes effect on September 1, 2005.