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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of employee wellness programs by state |
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agencies. |
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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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adding Section 664.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 664.007. EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM. (a) Each state |
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agency shall designate an individual as the wellness coordinator |
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for the agency. The wellness coordinator may collaborate with |
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other agencies and sources to provide information and resources to |
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employees through bulletin boards and e-mail. The employee |
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wellness program is a comprehensive program that includes the |
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components necessary to reduce direct and indirect costs associated |
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with preventable disease and may include: |
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(1) an agency wellness center staffed by a nurse |
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practitioner who provides employees with services such as blood |
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pressure monitoring and annual health assessments; |
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(2) ergonomic office equipment; |
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(3) nutrition education; |
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(4) smoking cessation programs; and |
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(5) contracts with fitness centers for reduced |
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membership fees for state employees. |
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(b) A state agency with fewer than 100 employees may join |
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with a state agency with 100 employees or more to create a program |
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under this section and to share resources under the program. |
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(c) A state agency may consult with the Department of State |
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Health Services on wellness issues. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |