By: Nelson, Alvarado, Hall  S.B. No. 71
         (In the Senate - Filed November 12, 2018; February 1, 2019,
  read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
  March 7, 2019, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 7, 2019,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 71 By:  Nelson
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the establishment of a statewide telehealth center for
  sexual assault forensic medical examination.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 420, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E.  STATEWIDE TELEHEALTH CENTER FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
  FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION
         Sec.  420.101.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Center" means the statewide telehealth center for
  sexual assault forensic medical examination.
               (2)  "Telehealth service" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 111.001, Occupations Code.
         Sec. 420.102.  ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER.  The attorney
  general shall establish the statewide telehealth center for sexual
  assault forensic medical examination to expand access to sexual
  assault nurse examiners for underserved populations.
         Sec. 420.103.  POWERS OF CENTER.  (a)  In accordance with
  other law, the center may facilitate in person or through
  telecommunications or information technology the provision by a
  sexual assault nurse examiner of:
               (1)  training or technical assistance to a sexual
  assault examiner on:
                     (A)  conducting a forensic medical examination on
  a survivor; and
                     (B)  the use of telehealth services; and
               (2)  consultation services, guidance, or technical
  assistance to a sexual assault examiner during a forensic medical
  examination on a survivor.
         (b)  With permission from the facility or entity where a
  forensic medical examination on a survivor is conducted and to the
  extent authorized by other law, the center may facilitate the use of
  telehealth services during a forensic medical examination on a
  survivor.
         (c)  The center may deliver other services as requested by
  the attorney general to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
         Sec. 420.104.  OPERATION PROTOCOLS REQUIRED. (a)  The
  center and the attorney general shall develop operation protocols
  to address compliance with applicable laws and rules governing:
               (1)  telehealth services;
               (2)  standards of professional conduct for licensure
  and practice;
               (3)  standards of care;
               (4)  maintenance of records;
               (5)  technology requirements;
               (6)  data privacy and security of patient information;
  and
               (7)  the operation of a telehealth center.
         (b)  The center shall make every effort to ensure the system
  through which the center operates for the provision of telehealth
  services meets national standards for interoperability to connect
  to telehealth systems outside of the center.
         Sec. 420.105.  AUTHORIZED CONTRACTS. The attorney general
  may enter into any contract the attorney general considers
  necessary to implement this subchapter, including a contract to:
               (1)  develop, implement, maintain, or operate the
  center;
               (2)  train or provide technical assistance for health
  care professionals on conducting forensic medical examinations and
  the use of telehealth services; or
               (3)  provide consultation, guidance, or technical
  assistance for health care professionals using telehealth services
  during a forensic medical examination.
         Sec. 420.106.  FUNDING.  (a)  The legislature may
  appropriate money to the attorney general to establish the center.
         (b)  The attorney general may provide funds to the center
  for:
               (1)  establishing and maintaining the operations of the
  center;
               (2)  training conducted by or through the center;
               (3)  travel expenses incurred by a sexual assault nurse
  examiner for:
                     (A)  carrying out the nurse's duties under Section
  420.103(a); or
                     (B)  testifying as a witness outside the nurse's
  county of residence;
               (4)  equipment and software applications for the
  center; and
               (5)  any other purpose considered appropriate by the
  attorney general.
         Sec. 420.107.  CONSULTATION REQUIRED.  In implementing this
  subchapter, the attorney general shall consult with persons with
  expertise in medicine and forensic medical examinations, a
  statewide sexual assault coalition, a statewide organization with
  expertise in the operation of children's advocacy programs, and
  attorneys with expertise in prosecuting sexual assault offenses.
         Sec. 420.108.  RULES.  The attorney general may adopt rules
  as necessary to implement this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
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