79R6340 DLF-D

By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 601


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to importing prescription drugs for use in state-funded programs that provide health care services or benefits. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. PRESCRIPTION DRUG STUDY. (a) In this section, "system" means the Employees Retirement System of Texas. (b) The system shall conduct a detailed study to determine whether importing prescription drugs from a foreign country for use in the state employees group benefits program would be safe, feasible, and cost-effective. (c) The system may: (1) enter into interagency contracts with other state agencies to extend the study to other state-funded programs that provide health care services or benefits; and (2) consult with other state agencies, as appropriate. (d) Not later than September 1, 2006, the system shall report the results of the study, including proposed legislation necessary to implement any recommendations contained in the report, to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature. SECTION 2. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 31, 2006. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2005.