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Week in Review, January 30th

Jan 30

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Consider improvements to election administration. (Presidential Commission on Election Administration, January 2014)
  • Explore intergenerational economic mobility in the U.S. (National Bureau of Economic Research, January 2014)
  • Examine the U.S. sulfur dioxide allowance market. (Congressional Budget Office, January 2014)
  • Read how local governments in Texas are using education and outreach strategies to help the uninsured find health coverage. (Kaiser Health News / Texas Tribune, January 27, 2014)

This entry was posted on January 30, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 415 views. Print this entry.

New Online Collection: Gubernatorial Inauguration Materials

Jan 27

posted by TexasLRL in Governor

The library is pleased to announce a new online collection of gubernatorial inauguration materials. Inauguration of a Texas governor is often celebrated with receptions, parades, galas and barbeques. Over the years, the LRL has accumulated a collection of material related to these events, including invitations, programs and tickets.  These unique items are now available on our website.  The collection features items from the Legislative Reference Library as well as items from private collections and from the Texas State Library and Archives.
 
The oldest pieces in the collection are an invitation and brochure to the 1891 inauguration of Governor James S. Hogg.
 
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More recent inaugural materials provide a detailed look at inaugural events, as well as information about the committees that planned the events. You'll also find unique items like the transcript of Governor W. Lee O'Daniels' 1941 radio broadcast inviting Texans to the inauguration ceremony and a free barbeque (below left), and a brochure for the inaugural special train that was part of Governor Beauford Jester's ceremonies (below right).
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Some governors chose themes for their inauguration ceremonies, such as Governor George Bush, whose inaugural theme in 1995 was "What Texans Can Dream, Texans Can Do," and in 1999 was "Together We Can / Juntos Podemos."
 
Governor George Bush's 1995 inaugural programGovernor George Bush's 1999 inaugural program
 
 
 You can also read through previous inaugural speeches by going here.
 

This entry was posted on January 27, 2014 at 4:48 PM and has received 2291 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, January 23rd

Jan 23

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Track changes to Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, January 13, 2014)
  • Read about patients discussing alcohol use with their health care providers. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 10, 2014)
  • Examine the risks of distracted driving. (The New England Journal of Medicine, January 2, 2014)
  • See the state-by-state emergency care report card. (American College of Emergency Physicians, 2014)
  • Review results of a survey about uninsured adults' Affordable Care Act enrollment experiences. (Enroll America / PerryUndem, January 9, 2014)
 

This entry was posted on January 23, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 892 views. Print this entry.

Legislative History of the "Pregnant Patient" Law

Jan 21

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation

What is the history of the "pregnant patient" law?
 
There are technically two applicable laws, Health & Safety Code 166.049 and 166.033, which are both part of the Texas Advance Directives Act, Health & Safety Code 166.001 et seq.  Here is the history of these two sections:

SB 148, 65th Regular Session (1977) added Vernon's Civil Statutes Art. 4950h, the Natural Death Act, including the "Directive to Physicians" form that contained the phrase, "If I have been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to my physician, this directive shall have no force or effect during the course of my pregnancy."  The "Directive to Physicians" form is now in Health & Safety Code 166.033, where it includes the statement, "I understand that under the Texas law this directive has no effect if I have been diagnosed as pregnant."

HB 403, 69th Regular Session (1985) amended the Natural Death Act to add, among other amendments, Vernon's Civil Statutes Art. 4950h, section 4E: "Life-sustaining procedures may not be withheld or withdrawn under this Act from a patient who is pregnant." That particular provision was not present in the introduced bill but was added during the House committee process.  The language is currently in Health & Safety Code 166.049, where it states, "A person may not withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment under this subchapter from a pregnant patient."

In 1989, a non-substantive revision bill moved these sections from the Civil Statutes to the Health & Safety Code.  A subsequent bill, SB 1260, 76th Regular Session (1999), condensed various advance directive and life support-related statutes, including the Natural Death Act, into Health & Safety Code Chapter 166.
 
 

This entry was posted on January 21, 2014 at 8:19 AM and has received 3217 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, January 16th

Jan 16

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Trace the history of the official poverty measure. (U.S. Census Bureau, accessed January 2014)
  • See which popular diets are the best for various health conditions. (U.S. News & World Report, 2014)
  • Explore the recently updated Occupational Outlook Handbook. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 8, 2014)
  • Examine prison admissions and releases in 2012. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, December 2013)

This entry was posted on January 16, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 560 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, January 9th

Jan 9

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Read about how Texas and California embody the red state–blue state rift. (The Washington Post, December 28, 2013)
  • Consider the impact of distracted driving. (National Institutes of Health, January 1, 2014)
  • Examine state-by-state poverty indicators. (Center for American Progress Action Fund, December 2013)
  • Explore various interactive features about state policies and policy. (Stateline, December 23, 2013)

This entry was posted on January 9, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 806 views. Print this entry.

New Laws Effective January 1, 2014

Jan 8

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation

On January 1, 2014 provisions of 73 bills passed during the regular session of the 83rd Legislature took effect.
 
Additionally, sections of bills passed during the 82nd R.S. and 82nd 1st C.S. in 2011 and the 81st R.S. in 2009 took effect on January 1.
 
To keep up with new laws throughout the year, check the Library's list of bill effective dates.
 
 

This entry was posted on January 8, 2014 at 9:47 AM and has received 2483 views. Print this entry.