| 1 | 1 | | 89R16650 EAS-F |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Bucy H.B. No. 4599 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 8 | 8 | | AN ACT |
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| 9 | 9 | | relating to the Health and Human Services Commission's authority to |
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| 10 | 10 | | establish and implement certain public health initiatives. |
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| 11 | 11 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 12 | 12 | | SECTION 1. Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is |
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| 13 | 13 | | amended by adding Chapter 180 to read as follows: |
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| 14 | 14 | | CHAPTER 180. PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES |
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| 15 | 15 | | Sec. 180.001. PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES. (a) The |
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| 16 | 16 | | commission may establish and implement initiatives to address |
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| 17 | 17 | | public health challenges affecting residents of this state, |
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| 18 | 18 | | including by: |
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| 19 | 19 | | (1) conducting a study; |
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| 20 | 20 | | (2) implementing a pilot program; or |
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| 21 | 21 | | (3) coordinating a data collection effort. |
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| 22 | 22 | | (b) A public health initiative authorized under this |
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| 23 | 23 | | section may: |
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| 24 | 24 | | (1) assess the efficacy, safety, and medical potential |
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| 25 | 25 | | of emerging health care treatments and therapies for physical and |
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| 26 | 26 | | mental health conditions; or |
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| 27 | 27 | | (2) assess the impact of medical treatments, |
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| 28 | 28 | | alternative health care therapies, or medications on public health |
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| 29 | 29 | | outcomes. |
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| 30 | 30 | | Sec. 180.002. COLLABORATION. The commission may |
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| 31 | 31 | | collaborate with public and private entities, including |
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| 32 | 32 | | institutions of higher education and medical research |
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| 33 | 33 | | organizations, as necessary to establish or implement a public |
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| 34 | 34 | | health initiative under this chapter. |
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| 35 | 35 | | Sec. 180.003. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt |
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| 36 | 36 | | rules as necessary to implement this chapter. |
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| 37 | 37 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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