88R7547 MPF-F
 
  By: Raney H.B. No. 3915
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to services provided by freestanding emergency medical
  care facilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 254.001(1) and (5), Health and Safety
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
               (1)  "Acute care services" means outpatient medical
  services, including radiology services, laboratory services,
  immunization services, and other non-emergent physician services 
  ["Department" means the Department of State Health Services].
               (5)  "Freestanding emergency medical care facility"
  means a facility, structurally separate and distinct from a
  hospital, that receives an individual and provides:
                     (A)  emergency care, as defined by Subdivision
  (2); and
                     (B)  acute care services, as defined by
  Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 254, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 254.002 to read as follows:
         Sec. 254.002.  REFERENCE IN LAW. A reference in this chapter
  to "department" means the Health and Human Services Commission.
         SECTION 3.  Section 254.1555, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  A facility that provides acute care services may not
  charge an emergency facility fee for providing the services.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.