H.B. No. 2783
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Pediatric Acute-Onset
  Neuropsychiatric Syndrome 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 119A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 119A. PEDIATRIC ACUTE-ONSET NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYNDROME
  ADVISORY COUNCIL
         Sec. 119A.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "advisory
  council" means the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
  Advisory Council established under this chapter.
         Sec. 119A.002.  ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COUNCIL. The
  Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council
  is established to advise the commission and the legislature on
  research, diagnosis, treatment, and education related to pediatric
  acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.
         Sec. 119A.003.  APPOINTMENT OF ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
  (a)  The advisory council is composed of the following 19 members:
               (1)  one member designated by the executive
  commissioner;
               (2)  two members of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (3)  two members of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
               (4)  14 members appointed by the governor with the
  following qualifications:
                     (A)  one member who is a licensed health care
  provider with expertise in treating persons with pediatric
  acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including pediatric
  autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with
  streptococcal infections, and autism;
                     (B)  one member who is an osteopathic physician
  with experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset
  neuropsychiatric syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune
  neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
  infections;
                     (C)  one member who is a pediatrician with
  experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset
  neuropsychiatric syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune
  neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
  infections;
                     (D)  one member who is a child psychiatrist with
  experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset
  neuropsychiatric syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune
  neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
  infections;
                     (E)  one member who is an immunologist with
  experience treating persons with pediatric acute-onset
  neuropsychiatric syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune
  neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
  infections, and the use of intravenous immunoglobulin;
                     (F)  one member who is a dietician or nutritionist
  who provides services to children with autism spectrum disorders,
  attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, and other
  neuro-developmental conditions;
                     (G)  one member with experience in conducting
  research on pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome,
  including pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders
  associated with streptococcal infections, obsessive-compulsive
  disorder, tic disorders, and other neurological disorders;
                     (H)  one member who is licensed by this state to
  practice as a social worker;
                     (I)  one member who is a representative of the
  Texas Education Agency with expertise in special education
  services;
                     (J)  one member who is a psychologist licensed
  under Chapter 501, Occupations Code;
                     (K)  one member who is a representative of a
  professional organization in this state for school nurses;
                     (L)  one member who is a representative of an
  advocacy and support group in this state for individuals affected
  by pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including
  pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with
  streptococcal infections;
                     (M)  one member who is a representative of an
  advocacy and support group in this state for individuals affected
  by autism; and
                     (N)  one member who is a parent of a child who has
  been diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
  syndrome or autism.
         (b)  The member designated by the executive commissioner
  serves as an ex officio nonvoting member.  In the event of a tie vote
  among the members of the advisory council, the member designated by
  the executive commissioner may cast the deciding vote.
         (c)  Each member of the advisory council must be a citizen of
  this state.
         Sec. 119A.004.  TERMS; VACANCY.  (a)  Advisory council
  members appointed by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the
  house of representatives serve terms that coincide with the
  advisory council members' terms of office.  The remaining members
  serve two-year terms.
         (b)  A vacancy on the advisory council shall be filled in the
  same manner as the original appointment.
         (c)  A member appointed to fill a vacancy holds the office
  for the unexpired portion of the term.
         (d)  Each member may be reappointed to serve on the advisory
  council.
         Sec. 119A.005.  CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.  Members of the
  advisory council shall elect from among the legislative members of
  the advisory council a chair and vice chair.
         Sec. 119A.006.  MEETINGS; QUORUM.  (a)  The advisory council
  shall meet at times and locations as determined by the chair or a
  majority of the members of the advisory council.
         (b)  A majority of the members of the advisory council
  constitute a quorum.
         Sec. 119A.007.  ANNUAL REPORT. (a)  Not later than September
  1 of each year, the advisory council shall prepare and submit to the
  governor, legislature, and commission a written report that
  includes recommendations on:
               (1)  practice guidelines for the diagnosis and
  treatment of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome,
  including pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders
  associated with streptococcal infections;
               (2)  mechanisms to increase clinical awareness and
  education regarding pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
  syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric
  disorders associated with streptococcal infections, among
  physicians, including pediatricians, school-based health centers,
  and mental health care providers;
               (3)  strategies for outreach to educators and parents
  to increase awareness of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
  syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric
  disorders associated with streptococcal infections; and
               (4)  developing a network of volunteer experts on the
  diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
  syndrome, including pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric
  disorders associated with streptococcal infections, to assist in
  the delivery of education and outreach.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, this section, including
  any action taken under this section to develop or disseminate
  information or materials, does not create a civil or administrative
  cause of action or a civil or criminal liability and does not create
  a standard of care, obligation, or duty that provides the basis for
  a cause of action.
         Sec. 119A.008.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
  the advisory council is not entitled to compensation or
  reimbursement for expenses incurred in performing advisory council
  duties.
         Sec. 119A.009.  SUNSET PROVISION.  The Pediatric Acute-Onset
  Neuropsychiatric Syndrome 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, 2031.
         Sec. 119A.010.  APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
  Government Code, does not apply to the advisory council.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 31, 2019, the governor,
  lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and
  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
  shall appoint the members to the Pediatric Acute-Onset
  Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council as required by Section
  119A.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2783 was passed by the House on May 7,
  2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 5, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2783 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor