88R1826 LRM-F
 
  By: Miles S.B. No. 180
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and
  Disparities renamed as the office for health equity and the duties
  of that office.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 107A, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 107A.  OFFICE FOR HEALTH EQUITY [CENTER FOR ELIMINATION OF
  DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES]
         Sec. 107A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Office" means the office for health equity
  established under this chapter.
               (2)  "Provider" has the meaning assigned by Section
  531.1011, Government Code.
         Sec. 107A.002.  OFFICE FOR HEALTH EQUITY [CENTER FOR
  ELIMINATION OF DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES]. (a) The
  executive commissioner shall maintain an office [a center] for
  health equity within [elimination of disproportionality and
  disparities in] the commission to:
               (1)  assume a leadership role in working or contracting
  with state and federal agencies, universities, private interest
  groups, communities, foundations, and offices of minority health to
  develop and implement health initiatives to create health equity
  and decrease or eliminate health and health access disparities
  among women and racial, multicultural, disadvantaged, ethnic, and
  regional populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups
  in this state[, including appropriate language services]; and
               (2)  coordinate with state and federal agencies,
  universities, private interest groups, communities, foundations,
  and offices that provide health care services to women and specific
  minority and age groups in this state to maximize use of existing
  resources without duplicating existing efforts.
         (b)  The health initiatives developed under Subsection (a)
  must include initiatives to increase access to appropriate language
  services in health care settings.
         Sec. 107A.003 [107A.002].  POWERS OF OFFICE [CENTER]. The
  office [center] may:
               (1)  provide a central information and referral source,
  including a clearinghouse for health disparities information, and
  serve as the primary state resource in coordinating, planning,
  implementing, and advocating access to health care services to
  eliminate health disparities in this state;
               (2)  coordinate conferences and other training
  opportunities to increase skills among state agencies and
  government staff in management and in the appreciation of cultural
  diversity;
               (3)  pursue and administer grant funds for innovative
  projects for universities, communities, groups, and individuals;
               (4)  provide recommendations and training in improving
  minority recruitment in state agencies;
               (5)  publicize, implement, and disseminate information
  and evidence-based strategies to promote health equity and
  eliminate [regarding] health disparities and minority health
  issues through the use of the media;
               (6)  network with existing minority organizations,
  community-based health groups, faith-based organizations, and
  statewide health coalitions;
               (7)  solicit, receive, and spend grants, gifts, and
  donations from public and private sources; [and]
               (8)  contract with public and private entities in the
  performance of its responsibilities;
               (9)  coordinate with local health authorities to
  investigate and report on issues related to health and health
  access disparities among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic,
  disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age brackets
  and linguistic groups in this state;
               (10)  publish on the office's publicly accessible
  Internet website the results of an investigation under Subdivision
  (9) and any data collected during the investigation, omitting any
  data that includes an individual's personally identifying
  information;
               (11)  monitor existing and emerging trends in
  behavioral health, morbidity, and mortality rates among women and
  racial, multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and regional
  populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups in this
  state;
               (12)  develop and implement short-term and long-term
  strategies to promote health equity and eliminate health and health
  access disparities among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic,
  disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age brackets
  and linguistic groups in this state;
               (13)  monitor the progress of the commission and of the
  providers with whom the commission contracts in promoting health
  equity and in eliminating health and health access disparities;
               (14)  advise and assist the commission on the
  implementation of any programs or funding authorized by the
  legislature that addresses health and health access disparities;
               (15)  examine the manner in which disparities in
  education, criminal justice, housing, economic opportunity,
  environment, and other social determinants contribute to health and
  health access disparities;
               (16)  examine the effect of health and health access
  disparities on educational, housing, and economic opportunity; and
               (17)  advise the commission on procuring contracts with
  providers that are promoting health equity and working to eliminate
  health and health access disparities among women and racial,
  multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and regional populations,
  and across age brackets and linguistic groups in this state.
         Sec. 107A.004 [107A.003].  FUNDING. The commission may
  distribute to the office to be used in accordance with this chapter:
               (1)  [center] unobligated and unexpended
  appropriations;
               (2)  money appropriated by the legislature; and
               (3)  gifts, donations, or grants, including grants from
  the federal government [to be used to carry out its powers].
         Sec. 107A.005.  PROVIDER CONTRACTS. (a) The commission
  shall collaborate with the office in procuring contracts and
  entering into provider agreements with providers that promote
  health equity and eliminate health and health access disparities
  among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic, disadvantaged, and
  regional populations, and across age brackets and linguistic groups
  in this state.
         (b)  The office shall assist providers under a contract or
  provider agreement with the commission in implementing programs and
  strategies that promote health equity and eliminate health and
  health access disparities among women and racial, multicultural,
  ethnic, disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age
  brackets and linguistic groups in this state.
         Sec. 107A.006.  CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATION. The office may
  collaborate with other state agencies to advise and assist in
  implementing programs and strategies that seek to eliminate social
  determinants that contribute to health and health access
  disparities among women and racial, multicultural, ethnic,
  disadvantaged, and regional populations, and across age brackets
  and linguistic groups in this state.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.