BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1248
By: Nelson
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Health problems like infant mortality, Alzheimer's Disease, diabetes, and obesity affect the productivity and the quality of life of many Texans, and are very costly to all Texans and the healthcare system. A comprehensive approach is needed for tracking, testing, and treating these health problems.
As proposed, S.B. 1248 requires the board of regents of the University of North Texas System to establish the University of North Texas Health Science Center Health Institutes of Texas (institute) which is required to include centers created by the board, including the Texas Center for Health Outcomes, the Texas Center for Translational Research, and the Texas Center for Primary and Rural Care. The bill requires that the institute utilize a discovery-to-delivery approach in developing comprehensive solutions for critical health care problems; proactively map health issues based on certain information; and build new models of health care provider training and delivery.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 105, Education Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER HEALTH INSTITUTES OF TEXAS
Sec. 105.551. DEFINITION. Defines "institute."
Sec. 105.552. ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTITUTE. Requires the board of regents (board) of the University of North Texas System (system) to establish the University of North Texas Health Science Center Health Institutes of Texas (institute).
Sec. 105.553. ROLE AND SCOPE OF INSTITUTE. (a) Requires the institute to include centers created by the board including the Texas Center for Health Outcomes, the Texas Center for Translational Research, and the Texas Center for Primary and Rural Care. Requires the institute to provide a discovery-to-delivery approach in developing comprehensive solutions for critical health care problems; proactively map health issues based on demographics, mortality and morbidity, and health care utilization through focused collaboration of internal and external researchers, caregivers, and policy makers, enabling the institute to compete for external funding from governmental and nongovernmental entities; and build new models of health care provider training and delivery.
(b) Authorizes the institute to include any public or private medical, dental, nursing, or educational institution for participation in its programs in the area served by the institute.
(c) Authorizes the institute to participate in educational programs as determined appropriate by the board.
(d) Authorizes the board to execute and carry out affiliation or coordination agreements with any other educational entity or institution in the region, including a traditional or other health service provider, to establish or to participate in the establishment or operation of the institute.
Sec. 105.554. MANAGEMENT OF INSTITUTE. (a) Requires the board to assign responsibility for the management of the institute to the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
(b) Requires the operating costs of the institute to be paid from operating funds of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth or of any other participating institution and from available funds of any other public or private entity.
Sec. 105.555. AREAS OF INSTITUTE EDUCATION. (a) Authorizes the institute to be used to provide graduate education or other levels of health education in the area served by the institute in connection with any component school or college within the University of North Texas System as the board determines appropriate.
(b) Authorizes the institute, in providing education under this subchapter, to use community outreach programs related to provide persons receiving education at the institute with any necessary experience and to conduct research programs related to areas in which education or outreach programs are provided by the institute, or public health issues arising in or prevalent in the area served by the institute.
Sec. 105.556. GIFTS AND GRANTS. Authorizes the board to solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private person or entity for the use and benefit of the institute.
Sec. 105.557. COORDINATING BOARD SUPERVISION. Provides that the institute is subject to the continuing supervision of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) under Chapter 61 (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) and to the rules adopted by THECB under Chapter 61.
Sec. 105.558. IMPLEMENTATION OF INSTITUTE. (a) Requires the board to implement the institute only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.
(b) Provides that this section expires on the last day of the first state fiscal year for which an appropriation is specifically made to implement the institute.
SECTION 2. Requires THECB, not later than August 31, 2008, to prepare an impact statement examining the initial implementation of this Act and to deliver a copy of the statement to the board of regents of the University of North Texas System and to the chairs of the standing committees of each house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.