79R17661 UM-D


By:  Deuell, et al.                                               S.B. No. 330

Substitute the following for S.B. No. 330:                                    

By:  Dawson                                                   C.S.S.B. No. 330



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a stroke committee and the development 
of a statewide stroke emergency transport plan.
	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) to read as follows:
		(7)  "Department" means the [Texas] Department of State
Health Services.
	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 system;    
			(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.
	(b)  The stroke committee must include the following 
members:         
		(1)  a licensed physician appointed from a list of 
physicians eligible for accreditation 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.  (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.
	(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 designated 
facility when rapid transport is appropriate; 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, 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.
	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, shall 
develop a statewide stroke emergency transport plan 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.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.