Methamphetamine/Pseudoephedrine Regulation |
Sexual Assault |
Cervical Cancer
| Communicable Diseases |
HIV Testing of Inmates |
Prohibition of Tobacco Products to
Inmates |
Health Spas |
Governor's Health Care Coordinating Council
| Public Health Close Call
Methamphetamine/Pseudoephedrine Regulation
The comprehensive child and adult protective services bill, SB 6
by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville) and Rep. Suzanna Hupp
(R-Kempner), was amended to establish a drug-endangered child
initiative aimed at protecting children who are exposed to
methamphetamine or to chemicals and other hazardous materials used
in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. Also, a provision
was added to the bill requiring law enforcement to notify the
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) if a child is
located on the premises used for the manufacture of
methamphetamine.
HB 164 by Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) and Sen. Craig Estes
(R-Wichita Falls) increases the civil and criminal penalties
relating to the manufacture of methamphetamine; distribution and
retail sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and norpsuedoephedrine
(does not apply for preparation in liquid, liquid capsule, liquid
gel capsules, or by physician prescription); and the possession and
transportation of anhydrous ammonia. This bill allows DFPS, law
enforcement, and juvenile probation to remove any child found on
the premises used for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Also
required is a pedigree for each prescription drug not distributed
through the normal distribution chain and that is sold, traded, or
transferred to any other person. This bill restricts access to
over-the-counter products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine,
and norpsuedoephedrine; and requires an ID, signature, and record
of the purchase. A person will not be allowed to purchase more than
two packages or a product containing more than six grams of these
substances in a single transaction.
SB 66 by Senator Nelson and Rep. Joe Driver (R-Garland) requires
the establishment of a voluntary "Methamphetamine Watch Program."
The program will inform retailers of the problems associated with
the illicit manufacture and use of methamphetamine, and encourage
retailers to limit patron accessibility to products used in
methamphetamine. The bill provides for good faith reporting to law
enforcement personnel and limited liability for those reporting
under the established guidelines. SB 66 offers prevention education
for students, education for school personnel and parents on how to
identify signs of methamphetamine use, and help for children who
are users or exposed to chemicals used in methamphetamine
manufacturing. Materials will be developed to educate distributors,
farmers, retail dealers, cooperatives, and other appropriate people
about 1) the use of anhydrous ammonia in the illicit manufacture of
methamphetamine as well as 2) practices to deter the theft of
anhydrous ammonia. Additionally, the bill requires DFPS to
establish a drug-endangered child initiative aimed at protecting
children who are exposed to methamphetamine or chemical use in the
manufacture of methamphetamine manufacturing.
Sexual Assault
HB 677 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and Sen. Jeff
Wentworth (R-San Antonio) requires health care facilities to submit
plans for providing emergency sexual assault services to the Texas
Department of State Health Service (DSHS) that include the
following minimum standards: 1) a forensic medical examination; 2)
transfer to a facility for treating sexual assault survivors; 3)
access to a sexual assault program advocate; 4) private waiting and
exams rooms, if available; 5) if indicated by history of contact,
appropriate prophylaxis for exposure to sexually transmitted
infections; and 6) the name and telephone number of the nearest
sexual assault crisis center. The bill also requires DSHS to
develop a standard information form for sexual assault survivors
that must include: 1) detailed explanation of the forensic medical
exam and the requirement for photographs of the genitalia and other
injuries; 2) information regarding treatment of sexually
transmitted infections and pregnancy; 3) information regarding
drug-facilitated sexual assault, including the necessity of an
immediate urine test; 4) information regarding crime victim
compensation; 5) consent for the examination, and provisions of
withdrawal of consent at any time during the examination; 6) names
and telephone numbers of sexual assault crisis centers statewide;
and 7) information regarding post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
infection.
Cervical Cancer
HB 1485 by Representative Thompson and Sen. Rodney Ellis
(D-Houston) requires health benefit plans, including small employer
health benefit plans, to cover an annual diagnostic test for
cervical cancer for women 18 and older.
HB 2475 by Rep. Dianne Delisi and Senator Nelson establishes a
cervical cancer initiative to work toward eliminating mortality
from cervical cancer by the year 2015. DSHS will collaborate with
the Texas Cancer Council and convene workgroups to: 1) identify
barriers to effective screening and treatment for cervical cancer,
including specific barriers affecting providers and patients; 2)
identify methods to increase the number of women screened regularly
for cervical cancer; 3) review current technologies and best
practices for cervical cancer; 4) review technology available to
diagnose and prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; 5)
develop methods to create public and private partnerships to
increase awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of regular
screening; 6) review current screening, treatment, and related
activities in the state and identify gaps in service; 7) identify
actions that can be taken to reduce the mortality and morbidity
from cervical cancer by the year 2015 and a timeline for taking
those actions; and 8) make recommendations on policy changes and
funding needed to achieve the state plan.
Infection Rates in Hospitals
An amendment to SB 872 by Senator Nelson and Representative
Delisi, relating to disclosure of physician ownership in specialty
or niche hospitals, establishes an Advisory Panel on Health Care
Associated Infections. The panel is required to study and recommend
definitions and methodologies for collecting and reporting
evidence-based data on infection rates and/or process measures.
Communicable Diseases
HB 162 by Rep. Brian McCall (R-Plano) and Sen. John Carona
(R-Dallas) requires hospitals and local health authorities to give
notice of possible exposure to certain reportable diseases to
persons other than emergency medical personnel, peace officers,
detention officers, county jailers, or fire fighters if the person
was exposed while providing emergency care. In addition, if a
person is accidentally exposed to the blood or body fluids of an
individual who dies at the scene of an emergency or during
transportation to the hospital, EMS personnel or physicians can
take reasonable steps to have the deceased tested for communicable
diseases without consent of a family member. If the body of the
deceased is delivered to a funeral home before testing, the funeral
home must allow EMS or physicians access to the body for
testing.
SB 776 by Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin) and Rep. Elliott
Naishtat (D-Austin) adds correctional facility employees to the
categories of persons who may request testing of a person who may
have exposed them to a reportable disease, including HIV
infection.
HIV Testing of Inmates
HB 43 by Rep. Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas) and Senator Ellis requires
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to conduct a
mandatory HIV test on inmates and state jail felons before they are
released. Positive results must be reported to DSHS.
Prohibition of Tobacco Products to Inmates
HB 549 by Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) and Sen. Kel Seliger
(R-Amarillo) and HB 2077 by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), and
Sen. Todd Staples (R-Palestine) make it a misdemeanor to provide a
cellular phone, tobacco product, or money to inmates of
correctional facilities, including local jails, TDCJ facilities,
and juvenile detention centers.
Health Spas
HB 135 by Rep. Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton) and Sen. Chris
Harris (R-Arlington) requires health spas to file a security bond
of no less than $20,000, and no more than $50,000 with the
secretary of state to receive a health spa operator's certificate
of registration. Any advertisement must include the health spa
operator's certificate of registration number.
Governor's Health Care Coordinating Council
HB 916 by Rep. Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) and Senator Nelson
creates the Governor's Health Care Coordinating Council to identify
the following in the health care system: 1) disparities in quality
and levels of care; 2) problems for uninsured individuals; 3) cost
of pharmaceuticals; 4) cost of health care; 5) access to health
care; 6) quality of health care; and 7) any other issues related to
health care. It asks the council to study the issues identified and
provide possible solutions. The council also shall ensure state
agencies collaborate effectively when purchasing health care
products or services. And it asks the council to
facilitate and promote the use of technology to decrease
administrative costs; monitor, research, and promote initiatives
for patient safety; encourage the use of telemedicine and
telehealth; and establish a clearinghouse of information for
communities in assessing the needs of local health care
systems.
Public Health Close Call
HB 264 by Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso) would have required a
person less than 21 years of age operating or riding as a passenger
on a motorcycle to wear protective headgear. This bill also removed
the provision that required persons 21 years or older to complete a
safety course or provide $10,000 in medical benefits if injured.
TMA opposed the bill, which died awaiting debate on the House
floor.
Public Health TMA Staff Contacts:
- Greg Herzog, Legislative Affairs, (512) 370-1360
- Gayle Love, Public Health, (512) 370-1670
- Susan Griffin, Public Health, (512) 370-1462
Overview
|
Tax Reform
|
Scope of Practice
|
Physician Ownership
|
Inadequate Health Plan Networks
(Balanced Billing)
|
Managed Care/Insurance Reform
|
Texas State Board of Medical
Examiners Sunset and Physician Licensure
|
Agency Sunset Review
|
Corporate Practice of Medicine
|
Health Care Funding
|
Medicaid and CHIP
|
Indigent Care and the
Uninsured
|
Workers' Compensation
|
Professional Liability Reform
|
Medical Education/Workforce
|
Child Health, Safety, and
Nutrition/Fitness
|
Border Health
|
Rural Health
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Mental Health
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Trauma/EMS
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Prescription Drugs
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Medical Science
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Long-Term Care
|
Abortion
|
Transplantation/Organ Donation
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Table of Contents