S.B. No. 330
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a stroke committee and the development
of a statewide stroke emergency transport plan and stroke facility
criteria.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 773.001, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 773.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the
Emergency Health Care [Medical Services] Act.
SECTION 2. Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subdivision (7) and adding Subdivision (15-a)
to read as follows:
(7) "Department" means the [Texas] Department of State
Health Services.
(15-a) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
SECTION 3. Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter H to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H. EMERGENCY STROKE SERVICES
Sec. 773.201. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. The legislature finds
that a strong system for stroke survival is needed in the state's
communities in order to treat stroke victims in a timely manner and
to improve the overall treatment of stroke victims. Therefore, the
legislature intends to construct an emergency treatment system in
this state so that stroke victims may be quickly identified and
transported to and treated in appropriate stroke treatment
facilities.
Sec. 773.202. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Advisory council" means the advisory council
established under Section 773.012.
(2) "Stroke committee" means the committee appointed
under Section 773.203.
(3) "Stroke facility" means a health care facility
that:
(A) is capable of primary or comprehensive
treatment of stroke victims;
(B) is part of an emergency medical services and
trauma care system as defined by Section 773.003;
(C) has a health care professional available 24
hours a day, seven days a week who is knowledgeable about stroke
care and capable of carrying out acute stroke therapy; and
(D) records patient treatment and outcomes.
Sec. 773.203. STROKE COMMITTEE. (a) The advisory council
shall appoint a stroke committee to assist the advisory council in
the development of a statewide stroke emergency transport plan and
stroke facility criteria.
(b) The stroke committee must include the following
members:
(1) a licensed physician appointed from a list of
physicians eligible for accreditation in vascular neurology from
the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education,
recommended by a statewide organization of neurologists;
(2) a licensed interventional neuroradiologist
appointed from a list of neuroradiologists recommended by a
statewide organization of radiologists;
(3) a neurosurgeon with stroke expertise;
(4) a member of the Texas Council on Cardiovascular
Disease and Stroke who has expertise in stroke care;
(5) a licensed physician appointed from a list of
physicians recommended by a statewide organization of emergency
physicians;
(6) a neuroscience registered nurse with stroke
expertise; and
(7) a volunteer member of a nonprofit organization
specializing in stroke treatment, prevention, and education.
(c) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
stroke committee.
Sec. 773.204. DUTIES OF STROKE COMMITTEE; DEVELOPMENT OF
STROKE EMERGENCY TRANSPORT PLAN AND STROKE FACILITY CRITERIA.
(a) The advisory council, with the assistance of the stroke
committee and in collaboration with the Texas Council on
Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, shall develop a statewide stroke
emergency transport plan and stroke facility criteria.
(b) The stroke emergency transport plan must include:
(1) training requirements on stroke recognition and
treatment, including emergency screening procedures;
(2) a list of appropriate early treatments to
stabilize patients;
(3) protocols for rapid transport to a stroke facility
when rapid transport is appropriate and it is safe to bypass another
health care facility; and
(4) plans for coordination with statewide agencies or
committees on programs for stroke prevention and community
education regarding stroke and stroke emergency transport.
(c) In developing the stroke emergency transport plan and
stroke facility criteria, the stroke committee shall consult the
criteria for stroke facilities established by national medical
organizations such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations.
Sec. 773.205. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules regarding a statewide stroke emergency transport plan and
stroke facility criteria based on recommendations from the advisory
council.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than January 1, 2006, the
advisory council established under Section 773.012, Health and
Safety Code, shall establish a stroke committee as required by
Section 773.203, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2007, the advisory council
established under Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, may
develop a statewide stroke emergency transport plan and stroke
facility criteria as required by Section 773.204, Health and Safety
Code, as added by this Act.
(c) Not later than January 1, 2007, the advisory council
shall submit a report of the statewide stroke emergency transport
plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission.
(d) The advisory council shall include in any report under
Subsection (c) of this section information regarding the stroke
facility criteria developed by the council.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 330 passed the Senate on
April 22, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 1;
May 26, 2005, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2005, House
granted request of the Senate; May 29, 2005, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 330 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 25, 2005, by a non-record vote; May 27, 2005,
House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference
Committee; May 29, 2005, House adopted Conference Committee Report
by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor