By: Lucio, et al. S.B. No. 1122
(Guerra)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a sanitarian recruitment and
retention program in border counties for public health purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 121, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 121.0055 to read as follows:
Sec. 121.0055. SANITARIAN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
PROGRAM IN BORDER COUNTIES. (a) This section applies only to a
local health unit, local health department, or public health
district that is:
(1) located in a county along the international border
with Mexico; and
(2) affiliated with the department under Section
121.005.
(b) To the extent funds are available, the department shall
develop a program under which the department:
(1) provides grants to local health units, local
health departments, and public health districts to improve
recruitment and retention of sanitarians registered under Chapter
1953, Occupations Code; and
(2) expands opportunities for training and
registration of sanitarians to improve disease response and prevent
foodborne, waterborne, vector-borne, and zoonotic diseases.
(c) The department shall administer the grant program
described by Subsection (b) in coordination with local health
units, local health departments, public health districts, and
appropriate state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit
organizations, public and private hospitals, institutions of
higher education, and other private entities.
(d) The department may provide a grant under Subsection (b)
only in accordance with a contract between the department and the
recipient. The contract must include provisions under which the
department is granted sufficient control to ensure the public
purpose of improved public health is accomplished and the state
receives the return benefit.
(e) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations to operate the program established under this section.
The department shall coordinate with appropriate state agencies,
federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, public and private
hospitals, institutions of higher education, and other private
entities in identifying and soliciting funding to implement this
section.
SECTION 2. The Department of State Health Services is
required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If
the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a
provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that
purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.