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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot program to require reporting of |
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methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 81, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 81.0445 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 81.0445. MRSA REPORTING PROCEDURES PILOT PROGRAM. (a) |
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The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services |
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Commission by rule shall develop and the department shall establish |
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a pilot program to research and implement procedures for reporting |
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cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). |
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(b) The department shall select to administer the program a |
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health authority that: |
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(1) demonstrates an interest in hosting the program; |
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and |
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(2) possesses adequate resources to administer the |
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program successfully. |
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(c) The pilot program must: |
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(1) require all clinical laboratories within the area |
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served by the health authority to report all cases of |
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methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the pilot program |
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administrator; |
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(2) track the prevalence of methicillin-resistant |
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Staphylococcus aureus; |
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(3) study the cost and feasibility of expanding the |
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list of reportable diseases established under this chapter to |
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include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; |
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(4) develop a methodology for the electronic exchange |
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of information regarding the occurrence of methicillin-resistant |
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Staphylococcus aureus within the area served by the health |
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authority; |
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(5) collect data and analyze findings regarding the |
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sources and possible prevention of methicillin-resistant |
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Staphylococcus aureus; |
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(6) provide for the reporting to the public by the |
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department of information regarding methicillin-resistant |
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Staphylococcus aureus; |
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(7) compile and make available to the public a |
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summary, by location, of the infections reported; and |
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(8) make recommendations to the department regarding |
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Subdivisions (1) through (7). |
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(d) Not later than September 1, 2009, the department, in |
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consultation with the health authority administering the pilot |
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program, shall submit to the legislature a report concerning the |
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effectiveness of the pilot program in tracking and reducing the |
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number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections |
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within the area served by the health authority. |
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(e) This section expires, and the pilot program is |
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abolished, September 1, 2009. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |