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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the state employee wellness program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 664, Government Code, is amended by |
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designating Sections 664.001 through 664.006 as Subchapter A and |
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adding a subchapter heading to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER A. STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH FITNESS |
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AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
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SECTION 2. Section 664.001, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 664.001. SHORT TITLE. This subchapter [chapter] may |
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be cited as the State Employees Health Fitness and Education Act of |
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1983. |
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SECTION 3. Section 664.003, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 664.003. DEFINITION. In this subchapter [chapter], |
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"state agency" means a department, institution, commission, or |
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other agency of the state. |
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SECTION 4. Chapter 664, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter B to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER B. STATE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM |
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Sec. 664.051. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
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(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health |
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Services. |
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(3) "State agency" means a department, institution, |
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commission, or other agency that is in the executive, judicial, or |
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legislative branch of state government. |
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(4) "State employee" means a state employee who |
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participates in a health benefits program administered under |
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Chapter 1551, Insurance Code. |
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Sec. 664.052. RULES. The executive commissioner shall |
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adopt rules for the administration of this subchapter. |
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Sec. 664.053. CREATION OF MODEL PROGRAM; DESIGNATION OF |
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COORDINATOR. (a) The department shall designate a statewide |
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wellness coordinator to create and develop for use by state |
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agencies a model statewide wellness program to improve the health |
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and wellness of state employees. The wellness program may include: |
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(1) education that targets the most costly or |
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prevalent health care claims, including information addressing |
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stress management, nutrition, healthy eating habits, alcohol and |
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drug abuse, physical activity, disease prevention, and smoking |
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cessation; |
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(2) the dissemination or use of available health risk |
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assessment tools and programs, including surveys that identify an |
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employee's risk level for health-related problems and programs that |
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suggest to employees methods for minimizing risks; |
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(3) the development of strategies for the promotion of |
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health, nutritional, and fitness-related resources in state |
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agencies; |
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(4) the development and promotion of environmental |
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change strategies that integrate healthy behaviors and physical |
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activity, including recommending healthy food choices in snack |
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bars, vending machines, and state-run cafeterias located in state |
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buildings; and |
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(5) optional incentives to encourage participation in |
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the wellness program, including providing flexibility in employee |
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scheduling to allow for physical activity and participation in the |
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wellness program and coordinating discounts with gyms and fitness |
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centers across the state. |
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(b) The statewide wellness coordinator shall coordinate |
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with other agencies that administer a health benefits program under |
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Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, as necessary to develop the model |
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wellness program, prevent duplication of efforts, provide |
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information and resources to employees, and encourage the use of |
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wellness benefits included in the health benefits program. |
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(c) The statewide wellness coordinator may consult with a |
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state agency operating health care programs on matters relating to |
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wellness promotion. |
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(d) A state agency shall designate an employee to serve as |
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the wellness liaison between the agency and the statewide wellness |
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coordinator. |
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(e) A state agency may implement a wellness program based on |
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the model program or components of the model program developed |
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under this section. |
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(f) The statewide wellness coordinator may assist a state |
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agency in establishing employee wellness demonstration projects |
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that incorporate best practices for encouraging employee |
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participation and the achievement of wellness benefits. A wellness |
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program demonstration project may implement strategies to optimize |
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the return of state investment in employee wellness, including |
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savings in direct health care costs and savings from preventing |
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conditions and diagnoses through better employee wellness. |
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SECTION 5. The executive commissioner of the Health and |
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Human Services Commission shall adopt rules under Subchapter B, |
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Chapter 664, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than |
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January 1, 2008. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |