89R5595 JTZ-D
By: Alvarado S.B. No. 722
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a mobile stroke unit grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H-1. MOBILE STROKE UNIT GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 773.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Grant program" means the mobile stroke unit grant
program established under this subchapter.
(3) "Mobile stroke unit" means a specialized emergency
medical services vehicle that:
(A) is equipped with a mobile computed tomography
scanner and other necessary medical equipment and medications for
diagnosing and treating an individual who suffers a stroke;
(B) is staffed with personnel trained to diagnose
and provide acute stroke treatment to an individual outside of a
hospital setting; and
(C) has a neurologist on board the vehicle or
available for consultation with the vehicle's personnel through a
telemedicine medical service, as defined by Section 111.001,
Occupations Code.
(4) "Stroke facility" has the meaning assigned by
Section 773.202.
Sec. 773.222. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT
PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish and
the commission shall administer a mobile stroke unit grant program
to improve health care outcomes for individuals who suffer a stroke
by providing financial assistance to stroke facilities and
increasing the availability of mobile stroke units in this state.
Sec. 773.223. APPLICATION. A stroke facility that holds a
comprehensive (Level 1) stroke designation from the department may
apply to the commission for a grant award under the grant program.
Sec. 773.224. AWARD OF GRANTS. (a) The executive
commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility criteria and a
scoring system for the commission to award grants under the
program.
(b) The commission may award grants under the program to
eligible applicants.
(c) The commission may only award a grant in accordance with
a contract between the commission and a grant recipient that
includes conditions providing the commission with sufficient
control to ensure the public purpose of improving public health is
accomplished and the state receives a return benefit.
Sec. 773.225. USE OF GRANT MONEY. A grant recipient may use
money awarded under the grant program only for the recipient's
capital costs associated with procuring equipment necessary to
operate a mobile stroke unit, including:
(1) a specialized emergency medical services vehicle;
(2) a mobile computed tomography scanner;
(3) medical equipment used in diagnosing or treating
an individual who suffers a stroke; and
(4) any other equipment the commission considers
necessary or appropriate.
Sec. 773.226. GRANT RECIPIENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT. A
grant recipient shall annually submit to the commission a report on
the recipient's use of grant money, including:
(1) the health outcomes of individuals treated by the
recipient's mobile stroke units; and
(2) the recipient's operating expenses associated with
operating mobile stroke units.
Sec. 773.227. FUNDING. The commission shall award grants
as provided by this subchapter from available money and any
additional money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 773.228. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission
may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source that are
made for the purposes of the grant program.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
adopt the rules necessary to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 773,
Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.