BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4350
86R26298 EAS-F	By: Bohac (Alvarado)
	Water & Rural Affairs
	5/16/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Concerns have been raised regarding the challenges faced in coordinating efficient emergency response among public and private entities. H.B. 4350 seeks to address these concerns by revising provisions relating to emergency communications districts.

 

H.B. 4350 amends the Health and Safety Code to specify and make uniform across certain acts that the authority for certain public safety answering points to transmit emergency response requests to private safety entities is contingent on the approval of the applicable communication district's board of managers and the consent of each participating jurisdiction and emergency services district serving the relevant area and that such consent may be withdrawn at any time. The affected acts are:

�         the 9-1-1 Emergency Number Act;

�         the Emergency Communication District Act;

�         the Emergency Telephone Number Act;

�         the Regional Emergency Communications District Act; and

�         the Regional Emergency Communication Districts Act.

 

H.B. 4350 amends current law relating to public safety answering points operated by emergency communications districts.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 772.001, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (4-a) to define "emergency services district."

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 772.112(b), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

(b) Authorizes a public safety answering point to transmit emergency response requests to private safety entities, with the approval of the board of managers of a district (board) and the consent of each participating jurisdiction and emergency services district serving the relevant area. Authorizes a participating jurisdiction's or emergency services district's consent to be withdrawn at any time.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 772.212(b), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

(b) Authorizes a public safety answering point to transmit emergency response requests to private safety entities, with the approval of the board and the consent of each participating jurisdiction and emergency services district serving the relevant area, rather than authorizing a public safety answering point to transmit emergency response requests to private safety entities, with the approval of the board and the consent of the participating jurisdiction. Authorizes a participating jurisdiction's or emergency services district's consent to be withdrawn at any time.

 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 772.312(b), Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 772.515(b), Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 6. Amends Section 772.614(b), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

(b) Authorizes a public safety answering point to transmit emergency response requests to private safety entities, with the approval of the board and the consent of each participating jurisdiction and emergency services district serving the relevant area, rather than authorizing a public safety answering point to transmit emergency response requests to private safety entities, with the board's approval.

 

SECTION 7. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.