HBA-JEK S.B. 280 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 280
By: Nelson
Public Health
5/1/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The vaccines for children program was developed to support efforts to
increase childhood immunization levels by providing publicly purchased
vaccines to eligible children under the age of 18.  The Texas Department of
Health (TDH) is currently responsible for the purchase and distribution of
vaccines for the program.  In most cases, the vaccines are shipped directly
from the manufacturer to TDH's pharmacy and then distributed at the
regional or local levels before they are delivered to individual health
care providers. Many vaccines can spoil if they are handled or stored
improperly.  Senate Bill 280 requires TDH to explore the possibility that a
private entity could more effectively and efficiently store and distribute
the vaccines used in the vaccines for children program. 

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

Senate Bill 280 requires the Texas Department of Health to develop and
distribute by January 1, 2002 a request for information from private
entities to determine whether a private entity could more effectively and
efficiently store and distribute the vaccines used in the vaccines for
children program.  The bill expires September 1, 2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.