80R2976 CBH-D
 
  By: Martinez Fischer H.B. No. 1116
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of a community telephone emergency
notification system as part of the 9-1-1 system.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 771.051(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
       (a)  The commission is the state's authority on emergency
communications. The commission shall:
             (1)  administer the implementation of statewide 9-1-1
service and the telecommunications requirements for poison control
centers under Chapter 777;
             (2)  develop minimum performance standards for
equipment and operation of 9-1-1 service to be followed in
developing regional plans under Section 771.055, including
requirements that the plans provide for:
                   (A)  automatic number identification by which the
telephone number of the caller is automatically identified at the
public safety answering point receiving the call; [and]
                   (B)  operation of a community telephone emergency
notification system that can be used to disseminate quickly
critical information to large numbers or targeted groups of
individuals and businesses; and
                   (C)  other features the commission considers
appropriate;
             (3)  examine and approve or disapprove regional plans
as provided by Section 771.056;
             (4)  recommend minimum training standards, assist in
training, and provide assistance in the establishment and operation
of 9-1-1 service;
             (5)  allocate money to prepare and operate regional
plans as provided by Section 771.056;
             (6)  develop and provide public education materials and
training;
             (7)  plan, implement, operate, and maintain poison
control center databases and assist in planning, supporting, and
facilitating 9-1-1 databases, as needed;
             (8)  provide grants or contracts for services that
enhance the effectiveness of 9-1-1 service;
             (9)  coordinate emergency communications services and
providers;
             (10)  make reasonable efforts to gain voluntary
cooperation in the commission's activities of emergency
communications authorities and providers outside the commission's
jurisdiction, including:
                   (A)  making joint communications to state and
federal regulators; and
                   (B)  arranging cooperative purchases of equipment
or services; and
             (11)  accept, receive, and deposit in its account in
the general revenue fund gifts, grants, and royalties from public
and private entities. Gifts, grants, and royalties may be used for
the purposes of the commission.
       SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 772.003 to read as follows:
       Sec. 772.003.  COMMUNITY TELEPHONE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
SYSTEM.  Notwithstanding any other law, an emergency communication
district shall provide as part of the 9-1-1 system for each
participating jurisdiction a community telephone emergency
notification system that can be used to disseminate quickly
critical information to large numbers or targeted groups of
individuals and businesses.
       SECTION 3.  (a)  The Commission on State Emergency
Communications shall adopt the performance standards relating to a
community telephone emergency notification system as required by
Section 771.051(a), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act,
not later than October 1, 2007.
       (b)  Each regional planning commission, as that term is
defined by Section 771.001, Health and Safety Code, shall submit an
amendment to that commission's regional plan not later than January
1, 2008. The amendment must describe the procedures the regional
planning commission will use to fully implement a community
telephone emergency notification system not later than July 1,
2008.
       (c)  An emergency communication district shall fully
implement a community telephone emergency notification system as
required by Section 772.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by
this Act, not later than July 1, 2008.
       SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.