BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 570
80R4553 ABC-F By: Deuell
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The 79th Legislature approved funding for an emergency medical dispatch pilot program (pilot program) to use emergency medical dispatchers located in regional dispatch centers to provide pre-arrival medical advice to 9-1-1 callers in rural areas of Texas. This assistance is vital to positive outcomes for those in emergency situations where help may be a considerable distance away. Pre-arrival instructions have been critical in life-safety issues and positive patient outcomes.
As proposed, S.B. 570 authorizes the program to be extended to other rural areas of Texas.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 771.102, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
Sec. 771.102. New heading: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM. (a) Requires the area health education center at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston that meets the requirements of 42 U.S.C. Section 294a and has received federal funding as an area health education center (center), with the assistance of the advisory council appointed under Section 773.012, to establish a program to use emergency medical dispatchers located in regional emergency medical dispatch resource centers, rather than a pilot program to test the efficacy of using emergency medical dispatchers located in regional emergency medical dispatch resource centers, to provide life-saving and other emergency medical instructions to persons who need guidance while awaiting the arrival of emergency medical personnel.
(b) and (c) Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 771.103, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
Sec. 771.103. New heading: PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM. (a) Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 771.104, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 771.106, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
Sec. 771.106. New heading: FUNDING OF PROGRAM. (a) Authorizes money in the 9-1-1 services fee fund and other state funds to be appropriated to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston on behalf of the center to fund the program.
(b)- (d) Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 771.107, Health and Safety Code, as follows:
Sec. 771.107. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Requires the center to biennially report its findings to the governor, the presiding officer of each house of the legislature, and the advisory council no later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, rather than each odd numbered year through 2009.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 771.109, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 7. Repealer: Section 771.110 (Expiration), Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 8. Effective date: September 1, 2007.