HBA-JEK, MPM H.B. 768 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 768
By: Maxey
Public Health
2/10/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 73rd Legislature established the HIV/AIDS Interagency Council to
facilitate communication between agencies and associations that provide
HIV/AIDS services to individuals, families, and communities.  The Texas
Department of Health reports that the severe health effects of hepatitis
infection, especially hepatitis C, make it a serious public health concern.
House Bill 768 expands the scope of the HIV/AIDS Interagency Council to
include hepatitis. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 768 amends the Health and Safety Code to change the name of the
HIV/AIDS Interagency Coordinating Council to the Interagency Coordinating
Council  for HIV and hepatitis (council), and to include policies and
program activities relating to hepatitis among the council's concerns. 

The bill adds the Texas Department on Aging and the Texas Workforce
Commission to the list of agencies represented on the council.  The bill
requires each agency represented to ensure that a representative of the
agency attends at least three quarterly council meetings each year.  The
council is required to provide an opportunity for the public to provide
recommendations and information to the council at each quarterly meeting. 

The bill requires the council to file a report with the legislature and
governor no later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, rather than
submitting a report once each year.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.