H.B. No. 1256
AN ACT
relating to access by certain persons to a first responder's
immunization history.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 161.00708 to read as follows:
Sec. 161.00708. ACCESS TO FIRST RESPONDER IMMUNIZATION
HISTORY. (a) The department shall establish a process to provide
an employer of a first responder with direct access to the first
responder's immunization information in the immunization registry
for verification of the first responder's immunization history.
The process must require a first responder to provide electronic or
written consent before the employer is granted direct access to the
first responder's immunization information in the immunization
registry. A first responder may withdraw consent at any time.
(b) The department may establish a process to provide a
first responder with access to the first responder's immunization
information in the immunization registry.
SECTION 2. Section 161.008(d), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) The department may release the data constituting an
immunization record for the individual to:
(1) any entity that is described by Subsection (c);
(2) a school or child care facility in which the
individual is enrolled; [or]
(3) a state agency having legal custody of the
individual; or
(4) an employer of a first responder or a first
responder in accordance with Section 161.00708.
SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2020, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
adopt rules as necessary to implement the changes in law made by
this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1256 was passed by the House on April
11, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1256 was passed by the Senate on May
15, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor