H.B. No. 1848
AN ACT
relating to prevention of communicable diseases in certain
long-term care facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.003, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subdivision (4-a) and adding Subdivision (4-b)
to read as follows:
(4-a) "Long-term care facility" means a facility
licensed or regulated under Chapter 242, 247, or 252.
(4-b) "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure. The term includes a
sheriff or constable.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 81, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Sections 81.014 and 81.015 to read as
follows:
Sec. 81.014. LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY INFECTION PREVENTION
AND CONTROL PROGRAM. Each long-term care facility's infection
prevention and control program must include:
(1) monitoring of key infectious agents,
including multidrug-resistant organisms; and
(2) procedures for making rapid influenza diagnostic
tests available to facility residents.
Sec. 81.015. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP REGIONAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEES. (a) The department shall establish a regional
advisory committee in each public health region designated under
Section 121.007 to address antimicrobial stewardship in long-term
care facilities and to improve antimicrobial stewardship through
collaborative action.
(b) A regional advisory committee established under this
section must include:
(1) physicians;
(2) directors of nursing or equivalent consultants
with long-term care facilities;
(3) public health officials knowledgeable about
antimicrobial stewardship; and
(4) other interested parties.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1848 was passed by the House on May 2,
2019, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 3, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1848 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor