Honorable Stephanie Klick, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB969 by Kolkhorst (Relating to reporting procedures for and information concerning public health disasters and to certain public health studies; providing a civil penalty.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The Department of State Health Services is required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement the Act using other appropriations available for the purpose.
The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to publish health data on its website and establish a standardized information sharing method during public health disasters and communicable disease outbreaks. It would require hospitals and laboratories to meet certain reporting standards and establish a civil penalty for healthcare facilities that fail to submit required reports.
The bill would require DSHS to evaluate the planning and response capabilities of the state health care system; to evaluate the current scope, size, function, and public health response capabilities of public health regions and regional offices; and to analyze and improve data collection and reporting in coordination with various stakeholders by December 1, 2021.
It is assumed that the provisions of the bill could be implemented within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
Bexar County does not anticipate a fiscal impact. Harris County does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact. The fiscal impact to other units of local government is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 537 State Health Services, 720 UT Sys Admin, 768 Texas Tech Univ Sys Admin