84R6725 KKR-D
 
  By: Zerwas H.B. No. 1071
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Palliative Care and Quality of
  Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 118 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 118. PALLIATIVE CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE INTERDISCIPLINARY
  ADVISORY COUNCIL
         Sec. 118.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Advisory council" means the Palliative Care and
  Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council established
  under this chapter.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
               (3)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
         Sec. 118.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE. The commission shall
  establish the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary
  Advisory Council to improve the quality and delivery of
  patient-centered and family-focused palliative care in this state.
         Sec. 118.003.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  The advisory
  council is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset
  Act).  Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter,
  the advisory council is abolished and this chapter expires
  September 1, 2019.
         Sec. 118.004.  MEMBERS. (a) The advisory council is
  composed of the members appointed by the executive commissioner as
  provided by this section.
         (b)  The advisory council must include:
               (1)  at least five physician members, including two who
  are board certified in hospice and palliative care;
               (2)  at least two advanced practice registered nurse
  members who are board certified in hospice and palliative care;
               (3)  seven health care professional members, including
  nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and spiritual care
  professionals, with:
                     (A)  experience providing palliative care to
  pediatric, youth, or adult populations;
                     (B)  expertise in palliative care delivery in an
  inpatient, outpatient, or community setting; or
                     (C)  expertise in interdisciplinary palliative
  care;
               (4)  at least one member with experience as an advocate
  for patients and family caregivers; and
               (5)  ex officio representatives of the commission or
  another state agency as the executive commissioner determines
  appropriate.
         (c)  Advisory council members serve at the pleasure of the
  executive commissioner.
         Sec. 118.005.  TERMS; VACANCY. (a)  An advisory council
  member serves a four-year term.
         (b)  If a vacancy occurs on the advisory council, a person
  shall be appointed to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
         Sec. 118.006.  OFFICERS. Advisory council members shall:
               (1)  elect a chair and a vice chair; and
               (2)  establish the duties of the chair and the vice
  chair.
         Sec. 118.007.  MEETINGS. The executive commissioner shall
  fix a time and place for regular meetings, which must occur at least
  twice each year.
         Sec. 118.008.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
  the advisory council may not receive compensation for service on
  the advisory council but is entitled to reimbursement of the travel
  expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of
  the advisory council, as provided by the General Appropriations
  Act.
         Sec. 118.009.  DUTIES. The advisory council shall consult
  with and advise the commission on matters related to the
  establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcome evaluation of
  the palliative care consumer and professional information and
  education program established under Section 118.011.
         Sec. 118.010.  REPORT. Not later than October 1 of each
  even-numbered year, the advisory council shall submit a biennial
  report to the standing committees of the senate and the house of
  representatives with primary jurisdiction over health matters on:
               (1)  the advisory council's assessment of the
  availability of palliative care in this state for patients in the
  early stages of serious disease; and
               (2)  the advisory council's analysis of barriers to
  greater access to palliative care.
         Sec. 118.011.  INFORMATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM. (a)  The
  commission, in consultation with the advisory council, shall
  establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional
  information and education program to ensure that comprehensive and
  accurate information and education about palliative care is
  available to the public, health care providers, and health care
  facilities.
         (b)  The commission shall make available on its Internet
  website information and resources regarding palliative care,
  including:
               (1)  links to external resources regarding palliative
  care;
               (2)  continuing education opportunities for health
  care providers;
               (3)  information about palliative care delivery in the
  home, primary, secondary, and tertiary environments;
               (4)  models for palliative care; and
               (5)  consumer educational materials regarding
  palliative care, including hospice care.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2015, the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall establish the Palliative Care and
  Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council and the
  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
  shall appoint the advisory council members as required by Chapter
  118, Health and Safety 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, 2015.