Texas Senate Bill SB871

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/20/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/23/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/22/09

Caption

Relating to the state employee wellness program, including health risk assessments of state employees.

Impact

The impact of SB871 on state laws includes an amendment to the Government Code to establish a structured wellness program for state employees. It presents direct implications for state agencies by obligating them to support employee health through defined policies. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on the utilization and effectiveness of health risk assessments, ensuring ongoing evaluation and transparency. This aligns with broader goals of improving public health and efficiency within state-funded health programs.

Summary

SB871 is designed to enhance the health and wellness of state employees in Texas through mandatory health risk assessments. The bill mandates that state agencies allow employees to engage in wellness activities during working hours, including exercise time and attendance at wellness seminars. State employees can receive additional leave for participation in these wellness initiatives, particularly if they complete health risk assessments. This approach aims to promote healthier lifestyles among the workforce, potentially leading to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs for the state.

Contention

Although SB871 aims to promote wellness, potential points of contention may arise regarding the allocation of resources and the effectiveness of the proposed health initiatives. Some critics may raise questions about the adequacy of funding for wellness programs or the impact of mandatory assessments on employee privacy and workload. Furthermore, the requirement for state agencies to implement these policies could lead to disparities in how wellness initiatives are executed across different departments, thereby raising concerns about equity in employee health access.