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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of a community telephone emergency |
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notification system as part of the 9-1-1 system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 771.051(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commission is the state's authority on emergency |
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communications. The commission shall: |
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(1) administer the implementation of statewide 9-1-1 |
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service and the telecommunications requirements for poison control |
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centers under Chapter 777; |
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(2) develop minimum performance standards for |
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equipment and operation of 9-1-1 service to be followed in |
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developing regional plans under Section 771.055, including |
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requirements that the plans provide for: |
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(A) automatic number identification by which the |
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telephone number of the caller is automatically identified at the |
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public safety answering point receiving the call; [and] |
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(B) operation of a community telephone emergency |
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notification system that can be used to disseminate quickly |
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critical information to large numbers or targeted groups of |
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individuals and businesses; and |
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(C) other features the commission considers |
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appropriate; |
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(3) examine and approve or disapprove regional plans |
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as provided by Section 771.056; |
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(4) recommend minimum training standards, assist in |
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training, and provide assistance in the establishment and operation |
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of 9-1-1 service; |
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(5) allocate money to prepare and operate regional |
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plans as provided by Section 771.056; |
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(6) develop and provide public education materials and |
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training; |
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(7) plan, implement, operate, and maintain poison |
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control center databases and assist in planning, supporting, and |
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facilitating 9-1-1 databases, as needed; |
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(8) provide grants or contracts for services that |
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enhance the effectiveness of 9-1-1 service; |
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(9) coordinate emergency communications services and |
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providers; |
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(10) make reasonable efforts to gain voluntary |
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cooperation in the commission's activities of emergency |
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communications authorities and providers outside the commission's |
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jurisdiction, including: |
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(A) making joint communications to state and |
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federal regulators; and |
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(B) arranging cooperative purchases of equipment |
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or services; and |
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(11) accept, receive, and deposit in its account in |
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the general revenue fund gifts, grants, and royalties from public |
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and private entities. Gifts, grants, and royalties may be used for |
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the purposes of the commission. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 772.003 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 772.003. COMMUNITY TELEPHONE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION |
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SYSTEM. Notwithstanding any other law, an emergency communication |
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district shall provide as part of the 9-1-1 system for each |
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participating jurisdiction a community telephone emergency |
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notification system that can be used to disseminate quickly |
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critical information to large numbers or targeted groups of |
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individuals and businesses. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The Commission on State Emergency |
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Communications shall adopt the performance standards relating to a |
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community telephone emergency notification system as required by |
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Section 771.051(a), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, |
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not later than October 1, 2009. |
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(b) Each regional planning commission, as that term is |
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defined by Section 771.001, Health and Safety Code, shall submit an |
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amendment to that commission's regional plan not later than January |
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1, 2010. The amendment must describe the procedures the regional |
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planning commission will use to fully implement a community |
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telephone emergency notification system not later than July 1, |
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2010. |
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(c) An emergency communication district shall fully |
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implement a community telephone emergency notification system as |
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required by Section 772.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by |
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this Act, not later than July 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |