S.B. No. 930
AN ACT
relating to the disclosure of certain information regarding the
occurrence of communicable diseases in residential facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.046(b), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) Reports, records, and information relating to cases or
suspected cases of diseases or health conditions are not public
information under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not be
released or made public on subpoena or otherwise except as provided
by:
(1) Subsections (c), (c-1), (d), and (f); and
(2) Section 181.060.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 181, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 181.060 to read as follows:
Sec. 181.060. INFORMATION REGARDING COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
IN CERTAIN FACILITIES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Communicable disease" has the meaning assigned by
Section 81.003.
(2) "Facility" means:
(A) a nursing facility licensed under Chapter
242;
(B) a continuing care facility licensed under
Chapter 246; and
(C) an assisted living facility licensed under
Chapter 247.
(3) "Resident" means an individual, including a
patient, who resides in a facility.
(b) In this chapter, protected health information does not
include information that identifies:
(1) the name or location of a facility in which
residents have been diagnosed with a communicable disease; or
(2) the number of residents who have been diagnosed
with a communicable disease in a facility.
(c) Unless made confidential under other law, the
information described by Subsection (b) is not confidential and is
subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 930 passed the Senate on
March 31, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 930 passed the House on
May 8, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, one present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor