81R2891 ALB-D
By: Gutierrez H.B. No. 1362
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reporting of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.0445, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 81.0445. MRSA REPORTING PROCEDURES [PILOT] PROGRAM.
(a) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services
Commission by rule shall develop and the department shall establish
a [pilot] program to research and implement procedures for
reporting cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). A health authority shall not be required to participate in
the program.
(b) A health authority that participates in the program
shall administer the program locally and report to the department
as required by this section. [The department shall select to
administer the program a health authority that:
[(1) demonstrates an interest in hosting the program;
and
[(2) possesses adequate resources to administer the
program successfully.]
(c) The [pilot] program must:
(1) require all clinical laboratories, including
hospital laboratories and clinical reference laboratories, within
the area served by each [the] health authority participating in the
program to report all positive cases of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus to the health authority [pilot] program
administrator using automated and secure electronic data
transmission;
(2) track the prevalence of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus;
(3) evaluate, on a biennial basis, [study] the cost
and feasibility of expanding the list of reportable diseases
established under this chapter to include methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus;
(4) develop a methodology for the electronic exchange
of information regarding the occurrence of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus within the area served by each [the] health
authority participating in the program;
(5) collect data and analyze findings regarding the
prevalence [sources and possible prevention] of
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus;
(6) provide for the reporting to the public by the
department of information regarding methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus; and
(7) compile and make available to the public a
summary[, by location, of the infections reported; and
[(8) make recommendations to the department]
regarding Subdivisions (1) through (6) [(7)].
(d) Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year,
[2009,] the department, in consultation with each [the] health
authority participating in [administering] the [pilot] program,
shall submit to the legislature a report concerning the
effectiveness of the [pilot] program [in tracking and reducing the
number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections
within the area served by the health authority].
[(e) This section expires, and the pilot program is
abolished, September 1, 2009.]
SECTION 2. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of
two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by
Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not
receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes
effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative
session.
(b) The change in law made by this Act to Section
81.0445(d), Health and Safety Code, takes effect September 1, 2009.