81R8045 CS-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 4630
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the state employee wellness program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 664.053(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The statewide wellness coordinator shall:
(1) coordinate with other agencies that administer a
health benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, as
necessary to develop the model wellness program, prevent
duplication of efforts, provide information and resources to
employees, and encourage the use of wellness benefits included in
the health benefits program;
(2) maintain a set of Internet links to health
resources for use by state employees;
(3) design an outreach campaign to educate state
employees about health and fitness-related resources, including
available exercise facilities, online tools, and health and
fitness-related organizations;
(4) study the implementation and participation rates
of state agency worksite wellness programs and report the findings
to the legislature biennially; [and]
(5) organize an annual conference hosted by the
department for all state agency wellness councils; and
(6) create an online questionnaire for state agency
heads to report information, including:
(A) the agency policy on leave time for employees
to complete a health risk assessment;
(B) the agency policy on leave time for employees
to receive an annual physical examination;
(C) the agency policy on providing employees time
during the workday to exercise; and
(D) whether the agency has a wellness coordinator
or council.
SECTION 2. Section 664.061, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 664.061. AGENCY WELLNESS POLICIES. (a) A state agency
shall create a worksite wellness policy that is annually updated
and submitted to the statewide wellness coordinator.
(b) The executive head of a state agency shall submit the
agency's worksite wellness information to the statewide wellness
coordinator annually through the online questionnaire under
Section 664.053(b)(6).
(c) A state agency may:
(1) allow each employee 30 minutes during normal
working hours for exercise three times each week;
(2) allow all employees to attend on-site wellness
seminars when offered; and
(3) provide four [eight] hours of additional leave
time each year to an employee who [:
[(A)] receives a physical examination.
(d) A state agency shall provide four hours of leave time
each year to an employee who [; and
[(B)] completes either an online health risk
assessment tool provided by the board or a similar health risk
assessment conducted in person by a worksite wellness coordinator.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.