BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1579

By: Cain

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) does not provide vaccinations for uninsured first responders who are members of the state military forces and can be deployed at great personal risk during state emergencies. H.B. 1579 seeks to address this issue by including these members among the first responders who receive necessary vaccinations free of charge through DSHS.

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.

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.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1579 amends the Health and Safety Code to change the type of state military forces member that is included in the definition of "first responder" for purposes of statutory provisions relating to immunizations from a member of the Texas State Guard to a member of the Texas State Guard, the Texas National Guard, or any other military force organized under state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.