Bill Text: TX HB1234 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the duties of the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-04 - Referred to Public Health [HB1234 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB1234-Introduced.html

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87R5396 MCF-D
By: Campos H.B. No. 1234

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the duties of the Task Force on Infectious Disease
Preparedness and Response.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.401, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 81.401. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this subchapter:
(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
disease.
(2) "Task [, "task] force" means the Task Force on
Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response.
SECTION 2. Section 81.403, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 81.403. TASK FORCE; DUTIES. (a) The Task Force on
Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response is created as an
advisory panel to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) The task force shall:
(1) provide expert, evidence-based assessments,
protocols, and recommendations related to state responses to
infectious diseases, including Ebola and COVID-19; and
(2) serve as a reliable and transparent source of
information and education for Texas leadership and citizens.
SECTION 3. Section 81.405, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 81.405. REPORTS. (a) The task force may make written
reports on its findings and recommendations, including legislative
recommendations, to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the
legislature.
(b) Not later than the second anniversary of the date a
public health disaster is declared, the task force shall:
(1) evaluate the state's preparedness and response to
the public health disaster; and
(2) submit a written report to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and each member of the legislature containing the task force's
findings and recommendations, including any legislative
recommendations.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.