H.B. No. 2950
AN ACT
relating to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and
Response.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, as amended by
S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015,
is amended by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. TASK FORCE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND
RESPONSE
Sec. 81.401. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"
means the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and
Response.
Sec. 81.402. PURPOSE AND FINDINGS. The legislature finds
that:
(1) infectious diseases are responsible for more
deaths worldwide than any other single cause;
(2) the State of Texas has a responsibility to
safeguard and protect the health and well-being of its citizens
from the spread of infectious diseases;
(3) on September 30, 2014, the first case of Ebola
diagnosed in the United States occurred in Dallas, Texas;
(4) addressing infectious diseases requires the
coordination and cooperation of multiple governmental entities at
the local, state, and federal levels;
(5) public health and medical preparedness and
response guidelines are crucial to protect the safety and welfare
of our citizens; and
(6) Texas has nationally recognized infectious
disease experts and other highly trained professionals across the
state with the experience needed to minimize any potential risk to
the people of Texas.
Sec. 81.403. TASK FORCE; DUTIES. (a) The Task Force on
Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response is created as an
advisory panel to the governor.
(b) The task force shall:
(1) provide expert, evidence-based assessments,
protocols, and recommendations related to state responses to
infectious diseases, including Ebola; and
(2) serve as a reliable and transparent source of
information and education for Texas leadership and citizens.
Sec. 81.404. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS; TERMS. (a) The
governor may appoint members of the task force as necessary,
including members from relevant state agencies, members with
expertise in infectious diseases and other issues involved in the
prevention of the spread of infectious diseases, and members from
institutions of higher education in this state. The governor shall
appoint to the task force:
(1) at least one member who is a county judge of a
county with a population of less than 100,000;
(2) at least one member who is a county judge of a
county with a population of 100,000 or more;
(3) at least one member who is a representative of a
local health authority serving a rural area;
(4) at least one member who is a representative of a
local health authority serving an urban area;
(5) at least one member who is a licensed nurse; and
(6) at least one member who is emergency medical
services personnel, as defined by Section 773.003.
(b) The governor shall appoint a director of the task force
from among the members of the task force.
(c) The governor may fill any vacancy that occurs on the
task force and may appoint additional members as needed.
(d) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the
governor.
(e) A state or local employee appointed to the task force
shall perform any duties required by the task force in addition to
the regular duties of the employee.
Sec. 81.405. REPORTS. The task force may make written
reports on its findings and recommendations, including legislative
recommendations, to the governor and legislature.
Sec. 81.406. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at
times and locations as determined by the director of the task force.
(b) The task force may meet telephonically in accordance
with Section 551.125(b)(3), Government Code.
(c) The task force may hold public hearings to gather
information. The task force shall endeavor to meet in various parts
of the state to encourage local input.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 551.144, Government Code, or
any other law, the task force may hold a closed meeting to discuss
matters that are confidential by state or federal law or to ensure
public security or law enforcement needs. A closed meeting held as
provided by this subsection must be held as otherwise provided by
Chapter 551, Government Code.
Sec. 81.407. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. State agencies with
members on the task force shall provide administrative support for
the task force.
Sec. 81.408. REIMBURSEMENT. Task force members serve
without compensation and are not entitled to reimbursement for
travel expenses.
Sec. 81.409. INFECTIOUS DISEASE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
FACILITIES AT HEALTH CARE-RELATED INSTITUTIONS. (a) The commission
may enter into contracts or agreements to assist in the
establishment of infectious disease emergency preparedness
facilities at health care-related institutions in this state. The
contracts or agreements may provide for payment by the commission
to develop and equip infectious disease emergency preparedness
facilities at health care-related institutions in this state, as
well as for materials, equipment, services, or other items the
commission considers necessary to implement this section.
(b) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. (a) On the effective date of this Act, a member
serving on the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and
Response created by executive order of the governor continues to
serve on the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and
Response under Subchapter J, Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act.
(b) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
Act, the governor shall make any appointments to the Task Force on
Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response required under
Subchapter J, Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2950 was passed by the House on May
13, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 3, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2950 on May 29, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 1,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2950 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor