BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 392

By: Bohac

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists heart disease as the leading cause of death in Texas.  A study conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that almost 30 percent of people age 65 and over suffer from cardiovascular disease.  As the population of Texas grows in average age, the rate of cardiovascular disease may be expected to increase proportionately.

C.S.H.B. 392 ensures the readiness of the state's nursing home facilities for cardiovascular emergencies by requiring that automated external defibrillator units be made available at all times, but prohibits use of those defibrillators on a resident who is under an out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate order.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 392 amends the Health and Safety Code to require convalescent and nursing homes and related institutions to have available for use at the institution an automated external defibrillator and requires the institution to comply with provisions of law relating to the training, use, and notification requirements for automated external defibrillators.  The bill prohibits an institution from using an automated external defibrillator to treat a resident of the institution who has issued or executed an out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate order under state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 392 differs from the original by adding the prohibition against an institution using an automated external defibrillator on a resident who has issued or executed an out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate order.