BILL ANALYSIS |
C.S.H.B. 2950 |
By: Klick |
Public Health |
Committee Report (Substituted) |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The recent Ebola outbreak in Texas exposed a number of flaws in the state's readiness for infectious disease outbreaks. Preparing for future disease outbreaks will require coordination from numerous public and private entities, including hospitals, state health agencies, ambulance services, and other groups. C.S.H.B. 2950 would establish a task force to enhance the state's ability to prepare for and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
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RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
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ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 2950 amends the Health and Safety Code, as amended by S.B. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, to create the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response as an advisory board to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The bill requires the task force to provide expert, evidence-based assessments, protocols, and recommendations related to state responses to infectious diseases, including Ebola, and a strategic emergency management plan for state and local levels of government; to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that Texas is prepared for the potential of widespread outbreak of infectious diseases, such as the Ebola virus, and can provide rapid response that effectively protects the safety and well-being of Texas citizens; to evaluate the supplies and resources available to address an infectious disease outbreak; and to serve as a reliable and transparent source of information and education for Texas leadership and citizens. The bill requires the task force, in developing the required infectious disease preparedness plan, to use the significant expertise of medical professionals in Texas and other states; to collaborate with local government officials and local health officials; to use, as practicable, the Texas Emergency Preparedness Plan and structure; to identify various responses necessary in the event of an epidemic of infectious disease; to establish a command and control structure that will ensure effective preparations and response if the governor takes emergency action under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 or other law; and to coordinate with appropriate entities to ensure public awareness and education regarding any pandemic threat.
C.S.H.B. 2950 sets out provisions regarding the appointment of task force members and of a director of the task force by the commissioner of state health services, specifies that task force members serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and without compensation or reimbursement for travel expenses, and requires a state or local employee appointed to the task force to perform any duties required by the task force in addition to the employee's regular duties. The bill establishes reporting and meeting requirements for the task force and requires state agencies with members on the task force to provide administrative support for the task force. The bill requires the commissioner, as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, to make appointments to the task force required by the bill's provisions.
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EFFECTIVE DATE
On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.
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COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE
While C.S.H.B. 2950 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.
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