H.B. No. 1082
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a pilot program to require reporting of
  methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 81, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 81.0445 to read as follows:
         Sec. 81.0445.  MRSA REPORTING PROCEDURES PILOT PROGRAM. (a)
  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services
  Commission by rule shall develop and the department shall establish
  a pilot program to research and implement procedures for reporting
  cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
         (b)  The department shall select to administer the program a
  health authority that:
               (1)  demonstrates an interest in hosting the program;
  and
               (2)  possesses adequate resources to administer the
  program successfully.
         (c)  The pilot program must:
               (1)  require all clinical laboratories within the area
  served by the health authority to report all cases of
  methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the pilot program
  administrator;
               (2)  track the prevalence of methicillin-resistant
  Staphylococcus aureus;
               (3)  study the cost and feasibility of expanding the
  list of reportable diseases established under this chapter to
  include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus;
               (4)  develop a methodology for the electronic exchange
  of information regarding the occurrence of methicillin-resistant
  Staphylococcus aureus within the area served by the health
  authority;
               (5)  collect data and analyze findings regarding the
  sources and possible prevention of methicillin-resistant
  Staphylococcus aureus;
               (6)  provide for the reporting to the public by the
  department of information regarding methicillin-resistant
  Staphylococcus aureus;
               (7)  compile and make available to the public a
  summary, by location, of the infections reported; and
               (8)  make recommendations to the department regarding
  Subdivisions (1) through (7).
         (d)  Not later than September 1, 2009, the department, in
  consultation with the health authority administering the pilot
  program, shall submit to the legislature a report concerning the
  effectiveness of the pilot program in tracking and reducing the
  number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections
  within the area served by the health authority.
         (e)  This section expires, and the pilot program is
  abolished, September 1, 2009.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1082 was passed by the House on May 4,
  2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1082 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor