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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a COVID-19 vaccine public awareness campaign. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 161.01015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.01015. COVID-19 VACCINE PUBLIC AWARENESS |
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CAMPAIGN. (a) In this section, "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel |
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coronavirus. |
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(b) The department shall develop and implement a public |
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awareness campaign designed to increase awareness of and educate |
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the public concerning the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 |
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vaccines that are approved or authorized for emergency use by the |
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United States Food and Drug Administration. |
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(c) In implementing the campaign, the department shall seek |
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to disseminate scientific and evidence-based information and |
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combat misinformation, with the goal of increasing vaccination |
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rates, particularly in communities with low rates of vaccination. |
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(d) The department may pay the costs of the program and its |
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administration from: |
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(1) gifts, grants, or donations; |
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(2) federal funds; and |
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(3) any other money made available for that purpose, |
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including money specifically appropriated for the campaign and any |
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other available department revenue. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |