H.B. No. 871
AN ACT
relating to use of telemedicine medical service by certain trauma
facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 773.1151 to read as follows:
Sec. 773.1151. USE OF TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL SERVICE BY
CERTAIN TRAUMA FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "telemedicine
medical service" has the meaning assigned by Section 111.001,
Occupations Code.
(b) A health care facility located in a county with a
population of less than 30,000 may satisfy a Level IV trauma
facility designation requirement relating to physicians through
the use of telemedicine medical service in which an on-call
physician who has special competence in the care of critically
injured patients provides patient assessment, diagnosis,
consultation, or treatment or transfers medical data to a
physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
assistant located at the facility.
(c) In establishing the requirements for designating a
facility as a Level IV trauma facility, the executive commissioner
may not adopt rules that:
(1) require the physical presence or physical
availability of a physician who has special competence in the care
of critically injured patients; or
(2) prohibit the use of telemedicine medical service
that meets the requirements of Subsection (b).
SECTION 2. The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall adopt rules to implement Section
773.1151, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later
than December 1, 2019.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Section 773.1151, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act, a health care facility located in
a county with a population of less than 30,000 may use telemedicine
medical service to satisfy a Level IV trauma facility designation
requirement only on or after January 1, 2020.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 871 was passed by the House on April
17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 871 was passed by the Senate on May
16, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor