87R3839 MCF-D
By: Rodriguez H.B. No. 2902
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to study factors
contributing to disproportionate COVID-19 outcomes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
disease.
(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Task force" means the task force established
under Section 2 of this Act.
SECTION 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. The executive
commissioner shall establish a task force to:
(1) identify and evaluate factors that contribute to
the disproportionate development of severe illness,
hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 infection among racial
and ethnic minorities;
(2) assess this state's data collection practices
related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination and the rates of
hospitalization and death for people infected with COVID-19;
(3) identify and determine the manner in which the
factors identified in Subdivision (1) of this section affect
population health; and
(4) make recommendations for state pandemic response
strategies and public health policy, including recommendations for
improvements for this state's data collection, virus testing, and
immunization strategies.
SECTION 3. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. (a) The task force
is composed of 21 members as follows:
(1) one member with relevant expertise, appointed by
the governor;
(2) two members with relevant expertise, appointed by
the lieutenant governor;
(3) two members with relevant expertise, appointed by
the speaker of the house of representatives;
(4) the chair of the Texas Hospital Association or the
chair's designee;
(5) the president of the Texas Medical Association or
the president's designee;
(6) the president of the Texas Nurses Association or
the president's designee; and
(7) 13 members appointed by the executive
commissioner, including:
(A) one member who is a licensed physician
specializing in cardiology;
(B) one member who is a licensed physician
specializing in pulmonology;
(C) one member who represents a hospital located
in a rural area of this state;
(D) one member who represents a hospital located
in a county with a population of at least four million;
(E) one member who represents a hospital located
in an urban county with a population of less than four million;
(F) one member who represents a public hospital;
(G) one member who represents a private hospital;
(H) two members who represent unaffiliated
nonprofit community health organizations focused on reducing
racial and ethnic health disparities;
(I) one member who represents a community health
center;
(J) one member who is an epidemiologist;
(K) one member who is a statistician; and
(L) one member who is a public health expert.
(b) The executive commissioner shall appoint a presiding
officer of the task force from among the members of the task force.
(c) The executive commissioner may fill any vacancy that
occurs on the task force and may appoint additional members as
needed.
SECTION 4. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS. Not later than November
1, 2021, the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and executive commissioner shall appoint members
to the task force.
SECTION 5. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2022, the
task force shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
members of the legislature a written report on its findings and
recommendations, including legislative recommendations.
SECTION 6. ABOLISHMENT AND EXPIRATION. The task force is
abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2021.