80R12988 TAD-D
 
  By: Delisi H.B. No. 1297
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the state employee wellness program.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Chapter 664, Government Code, is amended by
designating Sections 664.001 through 664.006 as Subchapter A and
adding a subchapter heading to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH FITNESS
AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
       SECTION 2.  Section 664.001, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       Sec. 664.001.  SHORT TITLE.  This subchapter [chapter] may
be cited as the State Employees Health Fitness and Education Act of
1983.
       SECTION 3.  Section 664.003, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       Sec. 664.003.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter [chapter],
"state agency" means a department, institution, commission, or
other agency of the state.
       SECTION 4.  Chapter 664, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. STATE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
       Sec. 664.051.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
             (1)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
             (2)  "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
             (3)  "State agency" means a department, institution,
commission, or other agency that is in the executive, judicial, or
legislative branch of state government.
             (4)  "State employee" means a state employee who
participates in a health benefits program administered under
Chapter 1551, Insurance Code.
       Sec. 664.052.  RULES. The executive commissioner shall
adopt rules for the administration of this subchapter.
       Sec. 664.053.  CREATION OF MODEL PROGRAM; DESIGNATION OF
COORDINATOR. (a)  The department shall designate a statewide
wellness coordinator to create and develop for use by state
agencies a model statewide wellness program to improve the health
and wellness of state employees. The wellness program may include:
             (1)  education that targets the most costly or
prevalent health care claims, including information addressing
stress management, nutrition, healthy eating habits, alcohol and
drug abuse, physical activity, disease prevention, and smoking
cessation;
             (2)  the dissemination or use of available health risk
assessment tools and programs, including surveys that identify an
employee's risk level for health-related problems and programs that
suggest to employees methods for minimizing risks;
             (3)  the development of strategies for the promotion of
health, nutritional, and fitness-related resources in state
agencies;
             (4)  the development and promotion of environmental
change strategies that integrate healthy behaviors and physical
activity, including recommending healthy food choices in snack
bars, vending machines, and state-run cafeterias located in state
buildings; and
             (5)  optional incentives to encourage participation in
the wellness program, including providing flexibility in employee
scheduling to allow for physical activity and participation in the
wellness program and coordinating discounts with gyms and fitness
centers across the state.
       (b)  The statewide wellness coordinator shall coordinate
with other agencies that administer a health benefits program under
Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, as necessary to develop the model
wellness program, prevent duplication of efforts, provide
information and resources to employees, and encourage the use of
wellness benefits included in the health benefits program.
       (c)  The statewide wellness coordinator may consult with a
state agency operating health care programs on matters relating to
wellness promotion.
       (d)  A state agency shall designate an employee to serve as
the wellness liaison between the agency and the statewide wellness
coordinator.
       (e)  A state agency may implement a wellness program based on
the model program or components of the model program developed
under this section.
       (f)  The statewide wellness coordinator may assist a state
agency in establishing employee wellness demonstration projects
that incorporate best practices for encouraging employee
participation and the achievement of wellness benefits. A wellness
program demonstration project may implement strategies to optimize
the return of state investment in employee wellness, including
savings in direct health care costs and savings from preventing
conditions and diagnoses through better employee wellness.
       SECTION 5.  The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall adopt rules under Subchapter B,
Chapter 664, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than
January 1, 2008.
       SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.