H.B. No. 3405
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a sickle cell task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 50 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 50. SICKLE CELL TASK FORCE
Sec. 50.001. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. The executive
commissioner, in collaboration with the members appointed to the
Newborn Screening Advisory Committee to represent the sickle cell
community, shall establish and maintain a task force to raise
awareness of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.
Sec. 50.002. DUTIES. (a) The task force shall study and
advise the department on implementing the recommendations made in
the 2018 Sickle Cell Advisory Committee Report published by the
Sickle Cell Advisory Committee or any other report the executive
commissioner determines is appropriate.
(b) The executive commissioner may assign tasks to the task
force to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 50.003. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is
composed of the following members appointed by the executive
commissioner:
(1) two members from community-based organizations
with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle
cell disease;
(2) two physicians specializing in hematology;
(3) two members of the public, each of whom either has
sickle cell disease or is a parent of a person with sickle cell
disease or trait; and
(4) one representative of a health-related
institution.
Sec. 50.004. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The executive
commissioner shall provide administrative support services at the
request of the task force.
Sec. 50.005. PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS. (a) The task
force shall elect a presiding officer from among its membership.
(b) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(c) The task force shall hold its first meeting not later
than December 1, 2019. This subsection expires September 1, 2021.
Sec. 50.006. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT; GIFTS, GRANTS,
AND DONATIONS. A task force member is not entitled to compensation
for service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force
duties. The task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to
pay for those expenses.
Sec. 50.007. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the task force shall prepare and submit to the governor
and the legislature an annual written report that summarizes the
task force's work and includes any recommended actions or policy
changes endorsed by the task force.
SECTION 2. The sickle cell task force is not required to
comply with the reporting requirements under Section 50.007, Health
and Safety Code, as added by this Act, until December 1, 2020.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3405 was passed by the House on April
17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 123, Nays 18, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3405 was passed by the Senate on May
21, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor