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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an electronic diagnostic database for rural physicians. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter E to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER E. ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC DATABASE FOR RURAL PHYSICIANS |
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Sec. 1001.101. CREATION OF DATABASE. (a) The department |
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shall create an electronic database to assist physicians practicing |
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in rural areas in diagnosing rare or unusual illnesses or |
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conditions. |
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(b) The executive commissioner, by rule, shall designate |
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for inclusion in the database diseases that are a threat to public |
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health. |
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(c) The database must be searchable based on a patient's |
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symptoms, test results, or medical history. |
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Sec. 1001.102. IMPLEMENTATION. The department shall place |
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the system in rural clinics and hospitals across the state. |
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Sec. 1001.103. FUNDING. In implementing the database, the |
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department may use any available revenue, including federal |
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disaster preparedness grant funds, other federal funds, and |
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legislative appropriations, and may solicit and accept gifts, |
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grants, and donations from a public or private source for the |
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purposes of this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and |
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Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section |
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1001.101, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later |
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than December 1, 2009. |
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(b) The Department of State Health Services shall create and |
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implement the electronic diagnostic database for rural physicians |
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required by Subchapter E, Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |