87R1480 SCL-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1048
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 adjacent to the international
border with Mexico; and
(2) affiliated with the department under Section
121.005.
(b) To the extent money is available, the department shall
establish a program to:
(1) provide 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) expand 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 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 award a grant under Subsection (b)
only in accordance with a contract between the department and the
grant recipient. The contract must include provisions affording
the department sufficient control to ensure the public purpose of
improved public health is accomplished and this state receives a
return benefit from the grant recipient.
(e) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations to operate the grant program. 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, 2021.