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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a mobile stroke unit grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H-1. MOBILE STROKE UNIT GRANT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 773.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services |
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Commission. |
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(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health |
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Services. |
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(3) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
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commissioner of the commission. |
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(4) "Grant program" means the mobile stroke unit grant |
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program established under this subchapter. |
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(5) "Mobile stroke unit" means a specialized emergency |
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medical services vehicle that: |
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(A) is equipped with a mobile computed tomography |
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scanner and other necessary medical equipment and medications for |
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diagnosing and treating an individual who suffers a stroke; |
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(B) is staffed with personnel trained to diagnose |
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and provide acute stroke treatment to an individual outside of a |
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hospital setting; and |
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(C) has a neurologist on board the vehicle or |
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available for consultation with the vehicle's personnel through a |
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telemedicine medical service, as defined by Section 111.001, |
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Occupations Code. |
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(6) "Stroke facility" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 773.202. |
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Sec. 773.222. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT |
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PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish and |
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the commission shall administer a mobile stroke unit grant program |
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to improve health care outcomes for individuals who suffer a stroke |
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by providing financial assistance to stroke facilities and increase |
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the availability of mobile stroke units in this state. |
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Sec. 773.223. APPLICATION. The following entities may |
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apply to the commission to receive money under the grant program: |
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(1) a local health department established under |
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Subchapter D, Chapter 121, or a public health district established |
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under Subchapter E, Chapter 121; |
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(2) an emergency medical services department of a |
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municipality or county; |
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(3) a fire department of a municipality or county that |
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provides emergency medical services; |
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(4) an emergency services district created under |
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Chapter 775; and |
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(5) a stroke facility. |
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Sec. 773.224. AWARD OF GRANTS. (a) The executive |
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commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility criteria and a |
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scoring system for the commission to award grants under the grant |
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program. |
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(b) The commission may award grants under the grant program |
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to eligible applicants. |
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Sec. 773.225. USE OF GRANT MONEY; REQUIRED COORDINATION. |
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(a) Subject to Subsection (b), a grant recipient may use money |
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awarded under the grant program only for the recipient's capital |
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costs associated with procuring equipment necessary to operate a |
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mobile stroke unit, including: |
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(1) a specialized emergency medical services vehicle; |
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(2) a mobile computed tomography scanner; |
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(3) medical equipment used in diagnosing or treating |
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an individual who suffers a stroke; and |
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(4) any other equipment the commission considers |
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necessary or appropriate. |
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(b) A grant recipient must coordinate the use of money |
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awarded under the grant program with a facility designated by the |
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department as a comprehensive Level I stroke facility. |
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Sec. 773.226. GRANT RECIPIENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT. A |
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grant recipient shall annually submit to the commission a report on |
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the recipient's use of grant money, including: |
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(1) the health outcomes of individuals treated by the |
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recipient's mobile stroke units; and |
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(2) the recipient's operating expenses associated with |
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operating mobile stroke units. |
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Sec. 773.227. FUNDING. The commission shall award grants |
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as provided by this subchapter from available money and any |
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additional money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter. |
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Sec. 773.228. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission |
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may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source for |
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purposes of the grant program. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2024, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt the rules necessary to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 773, |
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Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |