By: Nelson, Shapleigh  S.B. No. 75
         (In the Senate - Filed November 10, 2008; February 10, 2009,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and
  Homeland Security; April 8, 2009, reported favorably by the
  following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 8, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the establishment of a disaster and emergency education
  program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.186 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.186.  DISASTER AND EMERGENCY EDUCATION. (a)  The
  Department of State Health Services shall establish a program
  designed to educate the citizens of this state on disaster and
  emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. The program must
  address:
               (1)  types of disasters or other emergencies;
               (2)  the appropriate response to each type of disaster
  or emergency, including options for evacuation and shelter;
               (3)  how to prepare for each type of disaster or
  emergency;
               (4)  the impact of each type of disaster or emergency on
  citizens requiring medical assistance or other care;
               (5)  ways to respond in a disaster or emergency or to
  assist the victims of a disaster or emergency; and
               (6)  resources and supplies for disaster or emergency
  recovery.
         (b)  The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission, in cooperation with the governor, shall adopt
  rules to create and administer a disaster and emergency education
  program established under this section.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as possible after the effective date of
  this Act, but not later than January 1, 2010, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, in
  cooperation with the governor, shall adopt rules to create and
  administer a disaster and emergency education program established
  under Section 418.186, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
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