HBA-MPM S.B. 1857 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1857
By: Shapleigh
Public Health
5/2/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, efforts to exchange health information between Texas and Mexico
are not delivering their full potential.  Increased efforts to remove
barriers to exchange information and expand institutionalized binational
health programs could help improve the health of residents of the
TexasMexico border region.  Improving disease detection and surveillance in
Mexico could help U.S. health officials by providing early warning of
disease outbreaks.  S.B. 1857 requires the Texas Department of Health to
study the state laws inhibiting the exchange of health-related information
and equipment between Texas and Mexico. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to study state
laws inhibiting the exchange of information on disease and epidemiological
reporting between Texas and the United Mexican States, and cross-border
exchange of equipment and personnel to provide technical assistance and to
enhance the capacity of Texas and the United Mexican States to obtain and
exchange the information.  Authorizes TDH to appoint an advisory committee
under Chapter 2110 (Administrative Procedures), Government Code, to assist
it to perform its duties under this Act. Requires TDH to issue a report
describing its recommendations to the lieutenant governor and the speaker
of the house of representatives, no later than January 15, 2001.  Provides
that this section expires September 1, 2001.  

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.