87R6253 KKR-D
 
  By: Cortez H.B. No. 3562
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Texas Public Health Crisis and
  Pandemic 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 110 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 110.  TEXAS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND PANDEMIC COUNCIL
         Sec. 110.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Council" means the Texas Public Health Crisis and
  Pandemic Council.
               (2)  "Nonprofit hospital organization" means a
  hospital or hospital-based organization that is exempt from federal
  income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
  (26 U.S.C. Section 501(a)).
               (3)  "Personal protective equipment" means specialized
  clothing or equipment worn for protection against communicable and
  infectious diseases.
         Sec. 110.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. (a)
  The Texas Public Health Crisis and Pandemic Council is an
  interdisciplinary council of appointed physicians and scientists
  that is established to collect data, conduct research, and advise
  the governor and legislature on this state's response to the 2019
  novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and any other public
  health crisis, epidemic, or pandemic that directly impacts the
  health of the residents of this state.
         (b)  The Texas Medical Board shall provide administrative
  support to the council to assist the council with discharging the
  council's duties under this chapter.
         Sec. 110.003.  COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. (a) The council is
  composed of at least 17 members as follows:
               (1)  members who represent each major health care
  specialty field; 
               (2)  at least three members who represent nonprofit
  hospital organizations, including:
                     (A)  one member who represents a large hospital;
                     (B)  one member who represents a small hospital;
  and
                     (C)  one member who represents a hospital-based
  physician practice; and
               (3)  the presiding officer of the Texas Medical Board.
         (b)  The governor shall appoint the council members
  described by Subsections (a)(1) and (2) from a list of names
  recommended by the Texas Medical Board. 
         Sec. 110.004.  TERMS; VACANCY. (a) Council members serve
  staggered four-year terms.
         (b)  A member may serve not more than three terms.
         (c)  If a vacancy occurs on the council, a person shall be
  appointed to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
         Sec. 110.005.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The presiding officer of
  the Texas Medical Board shall serve as the presiding officer of the
  council.
         Sec. 110.006.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
  the council may not receive compensation for service on the council
  but is entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by
  the member while conducting the business of the council, as
  provided by the General Appropriations Act.
         Sec. 110.007.  MEETINGS; QUORUM. (a) The council shall meet
  at least twice each calendar year.
         (b)  The presiding officer may call additional meetings of
  the council as necessary during a public health crisis, epidemic,
  or pandemic to:
               (1)  provide specific guidance and recommendations to
  the governor and legislature on the health care needs of the
  residents of this state during the crisis, epidemic, or pandemic
  while ensuring the best interests for residents' health and the
  needs of the businesses and economy of this state; and
               (2)  assess the crisis, epidemic, or pandemic and
  prepare for future crises, epidemics, or pandemics by providing
  guidance to the governor, legislature, health care systems,
  businesses, and individuals concerning the best interests for
  residents' health and needs of the businesses and economy of this
  state.
         (c)  A majority of the council members constitutes a quorum
  for transacting council business.
         Sec. 110.008.  DUTIES. (a) The council shall collect data,
  conduct research, and study the impact of a public health crisis,
  epidemic, or pandemic on the health of the residents of this state,
  including:
               (1)  the impact of the virus or other contagion on the
  health of infected individuals and the lasting health effects of
  the virus or contagion on those individuals;
               (2)  the development of any treatments, therapies, or
  immunities for the virus or contagion; and
               (3)  the development of vaccines against the virus or
  contagion, including the efficacy of each vaccine.
         (b)  The council shall provide assistance in developing
  guidelines for the delivery of health care during a public health
  crisis, epidemic, or pandemic, including whether certain
  examinations, procedures, surgeries, or treatments should be
  suspended during the crisis, epidemic, or pandemic. The council may
  provide specific medical and safety guidance for health care
  providers and make recommendations related to that guidance to the
  governor and legislature. 
         (c)  During a public health crisis, epidemic, or pandemic,
  the council shall:
               (1)  assist the governor in disseminating health care
  policies and other relevant information to health care providers
  and the public; and
               (2)  serve as a liaison between health care specialty
  organizations in this state and the governor, legislature, and
  relevant standing committees of the legislature.
         (d)  The council:
               (1)  shall provide guidance on the use of personal
  protective equipment by health care providers, businesses, and
  individuals that serves the best interests of the health and
  well-being of residents of this state;
               (2)  shall monitor the state's need for personal
  protective equipment in all settings; and
               (3)  may recommend the acquisition and storage of
  additional personal protective equipment in this state during or in
  preparation for a crisis, epidemic, or pandemic.
         Sec. 110.009.  APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. The council is not
  subject to Chapter 2110, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the governor shall appoint the Texas Public Health
  Crisis and Pandemic Council members as required by Chapter 110,
  Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.