H.B. No. 1848
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to prevention of communicable diseases in certain
  long-term care facilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 81.003, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by amending Subdivision (4-a) and adding Subdivision (4-b)
  to read as follows:
               (4-a)  "Long-term care facility" means a facility
  licensed or regulated under Chapter 242, 247, or 252.
               (4-b)  "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
  Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure. The term includes a
  sheriff or constable.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 81, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Sections 81.014 and 81.015 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 81.014.  LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY INFECTION PREVENTION
  AND CONTROL PROGRAM.  Each long-term care facility's infection
  prevention and control program must include:
               (1)  monitoring of key infectious agents,
  including multidrug-resistant organisms; and
               (2)  procedures for making rapid influenza diagnostic
  tests available to facility residents.
         Sec. 81.015.  ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP REGIONAL ADVISORY
  COMMITTEES. (a)  The department shall establish a regional
  advisory committee in each public health region designated under
  Section 121.007 to address antimicrobial stewardship in long-term
  care facilities and to improve antimicrobial stewardship through
  collaborative action.
         (b)  A regional advisory committee established under this
  section must include: 
               (1)  physicians;
               (2)  directors of nursing or equivalent consultants
  with long-term care facilities;
               (3)  public health officials knowledgeable about
  antimicrobial stewardship; and
               (4)  other interested parties.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1848 was passed by the House on May 2,
  2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 138, Nays 3, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1848 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor