AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more tobacco-related deaths each year than there are deaths caused by HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle accidents, suicides, and murders combined. Smoking cigarettes, pipes, and cigars and use of smokeless tobacco products increases the risk of developing and dying from several types of cancer.
Tarrant County Hospital District, as a health care provider, seeks to establish itself as the first line of defense for its employees in the fight against lung cancer, as well as cancers of the esophagus, larynx, and oral cavity. Providing voluntary assistance programs for employees who are tobacco users, and establishing a smoke-free environment for all employees is vital to the protection and promotion of the health, well-being, and safety of district employees, as well as patients and visitors.
As proposed, S.B. 954 amends current law relating to the authority of the board of hospital managers of the Tarrant County Hospital District to adopt and implement a tobacco-related preventable disease policy.
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 Subchapter B, Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 281.0287, as follows:
Sec. 281.0287. TARRANT COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT; TOBACCO-RELATED PREVENTABLE DISEASE POLICY. (a) Requires the board of hospital managers of the Tarrant County Hospital District (district) to adopt and implement a tobacco-related preventable disease policy to protect and promote the general health, well-being, and safety of the district's employees.
(b) Requires that a policy adopted under Subsection (a) require the district to offer voluntary tobacco cessation programs for all district employees, and designate each hospital, clinic, building, or other facility owned or operated by the district as a smoke-free environment.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.