By: Nelson S.B. No. 127
(King of Taylor)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of certain funding formulas and policies
and to certain public health evaluations by the Department of State
Health Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 1001, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Sections 1001.078 and 1001.079 to read as
follows:
Sec. 1001.078. FUNDING FORMULA; PUBLIC HEALTH EVALUATION.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Health service region" means a public health
region designated under Section 121.007.
(2) "Local health department" means a local health
department established under Subchapter D, Chapter 121.
(3) "Local health unit" has the meaning assigned by
Section 121.004.
(4) "Public health district" means a health district
established under Subchapter E, Chapter 121.
(b) The department, in collaboration with the Public Health
Funding and Policy Committee established under Section 117.051,
shall:
(1) develop funding formulas for federal and state
funds appropriated to the department to be allocated to local
health departments, local health units, public health districts,
and health service regions' regional headquarters, based on
population, population density, disease burden, social
determinants of health, local efforts to prevent disease, and other
relevant factors as determined by the department and committee;
(2) evaluate the feasibility and benefits of placing a
cap on the percentage of public health funds that can be used on
administrative costs at local health departments, local health
units, public health districts, and health service regions'
regional headquarters; and
(3) evaluate public health functions provided by the
department, local health departments, local health units, public
health districts, and health service regions' regional
headquarters and determine if another entity, including a private
entity, can provide those functions more effectively.
Sec. 1001.079. PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT POLICY. (a) In this
section, "local health department" means a local health department
established under Subchapter D, Chapter 121.
(b) The department shall create a policy to allow a local
health department flexibility, to the extent allowed under federal
law, in the use of personnel and other resources during disaster
response activities, outbreaks, and other appropriate public
health threats.
SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2014, the Department of
State Health Services shall:
(1) develop the funding formulas required by
Subdivision (1), Subsection (b), Section 1001.078, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act;
(2) submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
the speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate
standing committees of the legislature a report on the findings
required by Subdivisions (2) and (3), Subsection (b), Section
1001.078, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and
(3) create the policy required by Section 1001.079,
Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.