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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on the prevalence and tracking of heat-related |
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deaths in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "department" means the |
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Department of State Health Services. |
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(b) The department, in collaboration with the Dell Medical |
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School at The University of Texas at Austin, shall conduct a study |
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on the prevalence of heat-related deaths and the ability of |
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counties to track those deaths. |
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(c) In conducting the study, the department shall: |
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(1) determine existing resources available to |
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counties to track heat-related deaths; |
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(2) determine the resources necessary to assist |
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counties in preventing, tracking, and reporting heat-related |
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deaths; |
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(3) identify barriers counties face in tracking and |
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reporting heat-related deaths; and |
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(4) gather any additional information necessary to |
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identify factors contributing to heat-related deaths and criteria |
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distinguishing a heat-related death from other natural causes of |
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death. |
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(d) The department may collaborate with medical examiners |
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and other relevant personnel in conducting the study. |
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(e) Not later than December 1, 2026, the department shall |
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submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the |
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house of representatives, and each standing legislative committee |
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with primary jurisdiction over public health and safety a written |
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report that includes: |
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(1) a summary of the results of the study conducted |
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under this section; and |
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(2) any recommendations for legislative or other |
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action. |
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(f) This section expires September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |