87R1817 EAS-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 202
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to renaming the Center for Elimination of
Disproportionality and Disparities to the office of health equity
and to the duties of that office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 107A, Health and Safety Code, is amended
to read as follows:
CHAPTER 107A. OFFICE OF HEALTH EQUITY [CENTER FOR ELIMINATION OF
DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES]
Sec. 107A.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "office" means
the office of health equity established under this chapter.
Sec. 107A.002. OFFICE OF HEALTH EQUITY [107A.001. CENTER
FOR ELIMINATION OF DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES]. (a) The
executive commissioner shall maintain an office of health equity
within [a center for elimination of disproportionality and
disparities in] the commission to:
(1) assume a leadership role in working or contracting
with state and federal agencies, universities, private interest
groups, communities, foundations, and offices of minority health to
develop health initiatives to decrease or eliminate health and
health access disparities [among racial, multicultural,
disadvantaged, ethnic, and regional populations, including
appropriate language services;] and improve health equity across
the state, including rural and urban communities, regardless of a
person's race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status; and
(2) maximize use of existing resources without
duplicating existing efforts.
(b) The health initiatives developed under Subsection (a)
must include initiatives to increase access to appropriate language
services in health care settings.
Sec. 107A.003 [107A.002]. POWERS OF OFFICE [CENTER]. The
office [center] may:
(1) provide a central information and referral source,
including a clearinghouse for health disparities information, and
serve as the primary state resource in coordinating, planning, and
advocating access to health care services to eliminate health
disparities in this state;
(2) coordinate conferences and other training
opportunities to increase skills among state agencies and
government staff in management and in the appreciation of cultural
diversity;
(3) pursue and administer grant funds for innovative
projects for communities, groups, and individuals;
(4) provide recommendations and training in improving
minority recruitment in state agencies;
(5) publicize information regarding health
disparities and minority health issues through the use of the
media;
(6) network with existing minority organizations,
community-based health groups, and statewide health coalitions;
(7) solicit, receive, and spend grants, gifts, and
donations from public and private sources; and
(8) contract with public and private entities in the
performance of its responsibilities.
Sec. 107A.004 [107A.003]. FUNDING. The commission may
distribute to the office [center] unobligated and unexpended
appropriations to be used to carry out the office's [its] powers and
perform the office's duties.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.