By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 1409
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the definition of first responder for purposes of the
immunization registry.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subdivision (1-a), Section 161.0001, Health and
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
(1-a) "First responder" means:
(A) any federal, state, local, or private
personnel who may respond to a disaster, including:
(i) public health and public safety
personnel;
(ii) commissioned law enforcement
personnel;
(iii) fire protection personnel, including
volunteer firefighters;
(iv) emergency medical services personnel,
including hospital emergency facility staff;
(v) a member of the National Guard;
(vi) a member of the Texas State Guard; or
(vii) any other worker who responds to a
disaster in the worker's scope of employment; or
(B) any related personnel that provide support
services during the prevention, response, and recovery phases of a
disaster [has the meaning assigned by Section 421.095, Government
Code].
SECTION 2. 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 September 1, 2009.