84R11527 KKR-D

By: Zerwas H.B. No. 1874

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) palliative care is person-centered, family-focused care that provides a patient with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness;

(2) palliative care is provided by a team of physicians, nurses, and other health care specialists in order to provide an additional layer of support to a patient during the treatment of a serious illness;

(3) palliative care is appropriate for a patient of any age and at any stage of a serious illness; and

(4) growing evidence shows that palliative care can reduce medical costs in addition to helping a patient recover from a serious illness more quickly and easily.

SECTION 2. Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 118 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 118. PALLIATIVE CARE INTERDISCIPLINARY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Sec. 118.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Advisory council" means the Palliative Care 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 Interdisciplinary Advisory Council to assess the availability 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 set 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; and

(4) consumer educational materials regarding palliative care, including hospice care.

Sec. 118.012. PROTECTIONS. Notwithstanding any other law, this chapter does not create a cause of action or create a standard of care, obligation, or duty that provides a basis for a cause of action.

SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2015, the Health and Human Services Commission shall establish the Palliative Care 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 4. 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.