By: Kolkhorst, et al. S.B. No. 982
 
  (Zerwas)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to awareness of and access to health care service programs
  available during a disaster or emergency.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 418.054 and 418.055 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.054.  EMERGENCY PLAN FOR SPECIALTY CARE
  POPULATIONS. The division, in consultation with the Department of
  State Health Services and local governmental entities that have
  established emergency management plans, shall develop a plan to
  increase the capabilities of local emergency shelters in the
  provision of shelter and care for specialty care populations during
  a disaster.
         Sec. 418.055.  ACCESS TO LOCAL VOLUNTEER NETWORKS; VOLUNTEER
  MOBILE MEDICAL UNITS. (a)  The division, in consultation with the
  Department of State Health Services, shall increase awareness of
  and encourage local government emergency response teams to utilize
  services provided by local volunteer networks, including the
  Medical Reserve Corps, that are available in the area to respond
  during a disaster or emergency.
         (b)  The division shall develop a plan to create and manage
  state-controlled volunteer mobile medical units in each public
  health region to assist counties that lack access to a volunteer
  network described by Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  The Texas Division of Emergency Management is
  required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
  legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.  If
  the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
  purpose, the division may, but is not required to, implement a
  provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.