BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 871
81R1905 YDB-D By: Lucio
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Obesity-related costs in Texas are soaring, yet only five percent of health care costs are used for prevention. Costs associated with state employees in Texas have increased 53 percent since 2000. Unless Texas invests now in effective interventions to address preventable health problems, related costs will have significant impact on the state budget for decades to come.
Through the implementation of policies to improve nutrition, activity, and overall health, worksite wellness programs aim to reduce health related expenses for employees and employers, in addition to reducing employee absenteeism and presenteeism. Legislation passed by the 80th Legislature created a worksite wellness program for state employees.
The purpose of S.B. 871 is to expand current worksite wellness policies for state employees, with the goal of improving employee health and reducing related costs. Specifically, the bill aims to increase completion of health risk assessments by state employees. Health risk assessments are powerful tools that allow an individual to gain a better understanding of their own health-related issues and risks. They also present an instructive means for helping the individual understand how to best manage his or her own health and well-being.
As proposed, S.B. 871 amends current law relating to health risk assessments of state employees.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 664.061, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 664.061. AGENCY WELLNESS POLICIES. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Authorizes a state agency to provide four, rather than eight, hours of additional leave time each year to an employee who receives a physical examination.
(b) Requires a state agency, and authorizes an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, to provide four hours of leave time each year to an employee who completes either an online health risk assessment tool provided by the Worksite Wellness Advisory Board or a similar health risk assessment conducted in person by a worksite wellness coordinator. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 1551.061, Insurance Code, as follows:
Sec. 1551.061. New heading: ANNUAL REPORTS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text.
(b) Requires the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas to submit a written report not later than January 1 of each year to the governor and Legislative Budget Board that includes a population-based summary of the health risk assessments completed under Section 664.061, Government Code, during the preceding state fiscal year, and an evaluation of the Employees Retirement System of Texas' weight management programs.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.