89R375 LRM-D
By: Miles S.B. No. 274
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and
Disparities renamed as the office for health equity and 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 FOR HEALTH EQUITY [CENTER FOR ELIMINATION OF
DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES]
Sec. 107A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Office" means the office for health equity
established under this chapter.
(2) "Provider" has the meaning assigned by Section
544.0001, Government Code.
Sec. 107A.002. OFFICE FOR HEALTH EQUITY [CENTER FOR
ELIMINATION OF DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES]. (a) The
executive commissioner shall maintain an office [a center] for
health equity within [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 and implement health initiatives to promote health equity
and decrease or eliminate health and health access disparities
among women and racial, multicultural, disadvantaged, ethnic, and
regional populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups
in this state[, including appropriate language services]; and
(2) coordinate with state and federal agencies,
universities, private interest groups, communities, foundations,
and offices that provide health care services to women and specific
minority and age groups in this state to 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,
implementing, and advocating access to health care services to
promote health equity and 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 universities, communities, groups, and individuals;
(4) provide recommendations and training in improving
minority recruitment in state agencies;
(5) publicize, implement, and disseminate information
and evidence-based strategies to promote health equity and
eliminate [regarding] health disparities [and minority health
issues] through the use of the media;
(6) network with existing minority organizations,
community-based health groups, faith-based organizations, 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;
(9) coordinate with local health authorities to
investigate and report on issues related to health and health
access disparities among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic,
disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age brackets
and linguistic groups in this state;
(10) publish on the office's publicly accessible
Internet website the results of an investigation under Subdivision
(9) and any data collected during the investigation, omitting any
personally identifying information;
(11) monitor existing and emerging trends in
behavioral health, morbidity, and mortality rates among women and
racial, multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and regional
populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups in this
state;
(12) develop and implement short-term and long-term
strategies to promote health equity and eliminate health and health
access disparities among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic,
disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age brackets
and linguistic groups in this state;
(13) monitor the progress of the commission and
providers in promoting health equity and in eliminating health and
health access disparities;
(14) advise and assist the commission on the
implementation of any programs or funding authorized by the
legislature that addresses health and health access disparities;
(15) examine the manner in which disparities in
education, criminal justice, housing, economic opportunity,
environment, and other social determinants contribute to health and
health access disparities;
(16) examine the effect of health and health access
disparities on educational, housing, and economic opportunity; and
(17) advise the commission on procuring contracts with
providers who are promoting health equity and working to eliminate
health and health access disparities among women and racial,
multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and regional populations,
and across age brackets and linguistic groups in this state.
Sec. 107A.004 [107A.003]. FUNDING. The commission may
distribute to the office to be used in accordance with this chapter:
(1) [center] unobligated and unexpended
appropriations;
(2) money the legislature appropriates; and
(3) gifts, donations, or grants, including grants from
the federal government [to be used to carry out its powers].
Sec. 107A.005. PROVIDER CONTRACTS. (a) The commission
shall collaborate with the office in procuring contracts and
entering into provider agreements with providers who promote health
equity and eliminate health and health access disparities among
women and racial, multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and
regional populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups
in this state.
(b) The office shall assist providers under a contract or
provider agreement with the commission in implementing programs and
strategies that promote health equity and eliminate health and
health access disparities among women and racial, multicultural,
ethnic, disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age
brackets and linguistic groups in this state.
Sec. 107A.006. CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATION. The office may
collaborate with other state agencies to advise and assist in
implementing programs and strategies that seek to eliminate social
determinants contributing to health and health access disparities
among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and
regional populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups
in this state.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.