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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and |
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Response. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, as amended by |
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S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, |
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is amended by adding Subchapter J to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER J. TASK FORCE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND |
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RESPONSE |
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Sec. 81.401. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force" |
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means the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and |
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Response. |
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Sec. 81.402. TASK FORCE; DUTIES. (a) The Task Force on |
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Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response is created as an |
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advisory board to the department. |
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(b) The task force shall: |
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(1) provide expert, evidence-based assessments, |
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protocols, and recommendations related to state responses to |
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infectious diseases, including Ebola, and a strategic emergency |
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management plan for state and local levels of government; |
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(2) develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that Texas |
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is prepared for the potential of widespread outbreak of infectious |
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diseases, such as the Ebola virus, and can provide rapid response |
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that effectively protects the safety and well-being of citizens of |
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this state; |
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(3) evaluate the supplies and resources available to |
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address an infectious disease outbreak; and |
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(4) serve as a reliable and transparent source of |
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information and education for Texas leadership and citizens. |
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(c) In developing the plan described by Subsection (b)(2), |
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the task force shall: |
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(1) use the significant expertise of medical |
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professionals in Texas and other states; |
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(2) collaborate with local government officials and |
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local health officials; |
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(3) use, as practicable, the Texas Emergency |
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Preparedness Plan and structure; |
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(4) identify various responses necessary in the event |
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of an epidemic of infectious disease; |
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(5) establish a command and control structure that |
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will ensure effective preparations and response if the governor |
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takes emergency action under Chapter 418, Government Code, or other |
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law; and |
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(6) coordinate with appropriate entities to ensure |
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public awareness and education regarding any pandemic threat. |
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Sec. 81.403. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS; TERMS. (a) The |
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commissioner may appoint members of the task force as necessary, |
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including members from relevant state agencies, members with |
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expertise in infectious diseases and other issues involved in the |
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prevention of the spread of infectious diseases, and members from |
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institutions of higher education in this state. The commissioner |
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shall appoint to the task force: |
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(1) at least one member who is a representative of a |
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local health authority serving a rural area; |
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(2) at least one member who is a representative of a |
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local health authority serving an urban area; |
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(3) at least one member who is a licensed physician; |
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(4) at least one member who is a licensed nurse; |
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(5) at least one member who is emergency medical |
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services personnel, as defined by Section 773.003; and |
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(6) at least one member representing a hospital. |
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(b) The commissioner shall appoint a director of the task |
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force from among the members of the task force. |
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(c) The commissioner may fill any vacancy that occurs on the |
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task force and may appoint additional members as needed. |
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(d) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the |
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commissioner. |
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(e) A state or local employee appointed to the task force |
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shall perform any duties required by the task force in addition to |
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the regular duties of the employee. |
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Sec. 81.404. REPORTS. (a) The task force shall report to |
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the department, governor, legislature, Texas Medical Board, and any |
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relevant medical associations as often as necessary to make |
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recommendations for updating protocols for addressing infectious |
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diseases. |
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(b) The task force shall make written reports on its |
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findings and recommendations, including legislative |
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recommendations, to the department, governor, and legislature on |
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December 1 of each even-numbered year. |
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Sec. 81.405. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at |
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times and locations as determined by the director of the task force. |
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(b) The task force may meet telephonically in accordance |
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with Section 551.125(b)(3), Government Code. |
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(c) The task force may hold public hearings to gather |
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information. The task force shall endeavor to meet in various parts |
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of the state to encourage local input. |
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(d) Notwithstanding Section 551.144, Government Code, or |
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any other law, the task force may hold a closed meeting to discuss |
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matters that are confidential by state or federal law or to ensure |
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public security or law enforcement needs. A closed meeting held as |
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provided by this subsection must be held as otherwise provided by |
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Chapter 551, Government Code. |
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Sec. 81.406. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. State agencies with |
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members on the task force shall provide administrative support for |
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the task force. |
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Sec. 81.407. REIMBURSEMENT. Task force members serve |
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without compensation and are not entitled to reimbursement for |
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travel expenses. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the commissioner of state health services shall make |
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appointments to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness |
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and Response required under Subchapter J, Chapter 81, Health and |
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Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2015. |