By: Nelson S.B. No. 289
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to ensuring that health information technology used in the
medical assistance and child health plan programs conforms to
certain standards.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 32.073 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.073. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS.
(a) In this section, "health information technology" means
information technology used to improve the quality, safety, or
efficiency of clinical practice, including the core
functionalities of an electronic health record, an electronic
medical record, a computerized physician or health care provider
order entry, electronic prescribing, and clinical decision support
technology.
(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall ensure
that any health information technology used in the medical
assistance program conforms to the standards adopted by the
Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel sponsored by the
American National Standards Institute.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 62, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 62.060 to read as follows:
Sec. 62.060. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS.
(a) In this section, "health information technology" means
information technology used to improve the quality, safety, or
efficiency of clinical practice, including the core
functionalities of an electronic health record, an electronic
medical record, a computerized physician or health care provider
order entry, electronic prescribing, and clinical decision support
technology.
(b) The commission shall ensure that any health information
technology used in the child health plan program conforms to the
standards adopted by the Healthcare Information Technology
Standards Panel sponsored by the American National Standards
Institute.
SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 4. 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.