83R13651 SCL-F
 
  By: McClendon, Naishtat, Coleman, H.B. No. 3238
      J. Davis of Harris, Zerwas
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3238:
 
  By:  Farias C.S.H.B. No. 3238
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to disease control pilot programs to reduce the risk of
  certain communicable diseases; authorizing a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that because drug abuse
  has been a tragedy for many Texas families, it is imperative that
  individuals addicted to drugs receive education and treatment for
  addiction. Working with community-based and faith-based
  organizations creates a network of support for Texas families and
  the opportunity to intervene in drug addiction.  Members of
  community-based and faith-based organizations have a strong desire
  to compassionately work to preserve lives and offer help to those
  stricken with disease and drug addiction.
         Allowing for the operation of disease control pilot programs
  will reduce the transmission of bloodborne diseases, such as
  HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and provide clients with
  referrals to appropriate health and social services. A pilot
  program created under this Act may provide necessary access to
  primary health care, ensure safe and sterile disposal of used
  syringes and needles, and protect the public health. In addition,
  pilot program goals may include reduced rates of intravenous drug
  use and a reduced number of injuries to innocent victims, first
  responders, and law enforcement due to needle sticks from
  improperly disposed-of needles. Additionally, it is the intent of
  the legislature that there will be increased access to drug
  treatment centers, an increased likelihood of successful treatment
  for addiction, and increased protection of public health and
  safety.
         SECTION 2.  Section 531.0972, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 531.0972.  PILOT PROGRAM TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
  CERTAIN INFECTIOUS OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. The commission may
  provide guidance to the counties and the hospital districts in
  those counties that establish [the local health authority of Bexar
  County in establishing] a pilot program under Subchapter J, Chapter
  81, Health and Safety Code, [funded by the county] to prevent the
  spread of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other infectious and
  communicable diseases.  The program may include a disease control
  program that provides for the anonymous exchange of used hypodermic
  needles and syringes.
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER J. PILOT PROGRAMS TO REDUCE RISK OF CERTAIN
  COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
         Sec. 81.401.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER.  This subchapter
  applies only to Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Nueces, Travis, and
  Webb Counties and hospital districts in those counties.
         Sec. 81.402.  DISEASE CONTROL PILOT PROGRAMS. (a)  A county,
  a hospital district in the county, or an organization that
  contracts with a county or hospital district to operate a program
  under this subchapter may establish a disease control pilot program
  to prevent the spread of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other
  infectious and communicable diseases. The program may include
  disease control outreach programs that:
               (1)  provide for the anonymous exchange of used
  hypodermic needles and syringes for an equal number of new
  hypodermic needles and syringes;
               (2)  offer education on the transmission and prevention
  of communicable diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis
  C; and
               (3)  assist program participants in obtaining health
  care and other physical and mental health-related services,
  including substance abuse treatment services and bloodborne
  disease testing.
         (b)  A county, hospital district, or other organization
  operating a disease control pilot program authorized by this
  subchapter may charge a participant in the program a fee for each
  hypodermic needle or syringe used in the program not to exceed 150
  percent of the actual cost of the hypodermic needle or syringe.
         (c)  A county, hospital district, or other organization
  operating a disease control pilot program authorized by this
  subchapter shall annually provide the department with information
  on:
               (1)  the effectiveness of the program;
               (2)  the program's impact on reducing the spread of
  communicable diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C;
  and
               (3)  the program's effect on injected drug use in the
  area served by the county or hospital district.
         Sec. 81.403.  DISTRIBUTION OF NEEDLES AND SYRINGES TO PILOT
  PROGRAM. A person licensed as a wholesale drug distributor or
  device distributor under Chapter 431 may distribute hypodermic
  needles and syringes to a disease control pilot program authorized
  by this subchapter.
         Sec. 81.404.  HANDLING OF NEEDLES AND SYRINGES. (a)  In
  this section, "safe kit" means a package given by a disease control
  pilot program to a program participant that may include:
               (1)  alcohol swabs;
               (2)  a condom;
               (3)  cotton swabs;
               (4)  a hypodermic needle or syringe; and
               (5)  a tourniquet.
         (b)  The operator of a disease control pilot program shall
  store hypodermic needles and syringes in a proper and secure
  manner. Only authorized employees or volunteers of the program may
  have access to the hypodermic needles and syringes. The hypodermic
  needles and syringes may be included in safe kits made available
  through the program. Program clients may obtain hypodermic needles
  and syringes and safe kits only from an authorized employee or
  volunteer.
         (c)  The operator of a disease control pilot program
  authorized by this subchapter shall store and dispose of used
  hypodermic needles and syringes in accordance with department rule.
         Sec. 81.405.  FUNDING. (a) Except to the extent
  specifically prohibited by law, a county or hospital district may
  use public money to fund a disease control pilot program under
  Section 81.402(a).
         (b)  Except to the extent specifically prohibited by law, a
  county or hospital district may solicit or accept gifts, grants, or
  donations to fund a disease control pilot program under Section
  81.402(a).
         Sec. 81.406.  EXPIRATION.  This subchapter expires on
  September 1, 2023.
         SECTION 4.  Section 481.125, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsections (g), (h), and (i) to read as follows:
         (g)  It is an exception to the application of Subsections (a)
  and (b) that the person dispenses or delivers a hypodermic needle or
  syringe for a medical purpose.  For the purposes of this subsection,
  "medical purpose" includes the exchange of a hypodermic needle or
  syringe for a used hypodermic needle or syringe in a program
  described by Subchapter J, Chapter 81.
         (h)  It is an exception to the application of Subsections (a)
  and (b) that the person manufactures hypodermic needles or syringes
  for delivery to a disease control pilot program described by
  Subchapter J, Chapter 81.
         (i)  It is an exception to the application of Subsections (a)
  and (b) that the person is an employee, volunteer, duly authorized
  agent, or participant of a disease control pilot program described
  by Subchapter J, Chapter 81, and uses, possesses, or delivers a
  hypodermic needle or syringe as part of the program.
         SECTION 5.  (a)  The change to Section 481.125, Health and
  Safety Code, made by this Act applies only to an offense committed
  on or after the effective date of this Act. For purposes of this
  section, an offense is committed before the effective date of this
  Act if any element of the offense occurs before the effective date.
         (b)  An offense committed before the effective date of this
  Act is governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.