Bill Text: TX SB71 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a statewide telehealth center for sexual assault forensic medical examination.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-04 - Effective on 9/1/19 [SB71 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB71-Enrolled.html

---

S.B. No. 71

AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a statewide telehealth center for
sexual assault forensic medical examination.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 420, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. STATEWIDE TELEHEALTH CENTER FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Sec. 420.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Center" means the statewide telehealth center for
sexual assault forensic medical examination.
(2) "Telehealth service" has the meaning assigned by
Section 111.001, Occupations Code.
Sec. 420.102. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER. The attorney
general shall establish the statewide telehealth center for sexual
assault forensic medical examination to expand access to sexual
assault nurse examiners for underserved populations.
Sec. 420.103. POWERS OF CENTER. (a) In accordance with
other law, the center may facilitate in person or through
telecommunications or information technology the provision by a
sexual assault nurse examiner of:
(1) training or technical assistance to a sexual
assault examiner on:
(A) conducting a forensic medical examination on
a survivor; and
(B) the use of telehealth services; and
(2) consultation services, guidance, or technical
assistance to a sexual assault examiner during a forensic medical
examination on a survivor.
(b) With permission from the facility or entity where a
forensic medical examination on a survivor is conducted and to the
extent authorized by other law, the center may facilitate the use of
telehealth services during a forensic medical examination on a
survivor.
(c) The center may deliver other services as requested by
the attorney general to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 420.104. OPERATION PROTOCOLS REQUIRED. (a) The
center and the attorney general shall develop operation protocols
to address compliance with applicable laws and rules governing:
(1) telehealth services;
(2) standards of professional conduct for licensure
and practice;
(3) standards of care;
(4) maintenance of records;
(5) technology requirements;
(6) data privacy and security of patient information;
and
(7) the operation of a telehealth center.
(b) The center shall make every effort to ensure the system
through which the center operates for the provision of telehealth
services meets national standards for interoperability to connect
to telehealth systems outside of the center.
Sec. 420.105. AUTHORIZED CONTRACTS. The attorney general
may enter into any contract the attorney general considers
necessary to implement this subchapter, including a contract to:
(1) develop, implement, maintain, or operate the
center;
(2) train or provide technical assistance for health
care professionals on conducting forensic medical examinations and
the use of telehealth services; or
(3) provide consultation, guidance, or technical
assistance for health care professionals using telehealth services
during a forensic medical examination.
Sec. 420.106. FUNDING. (a) The legislature may
appropriate money to the attorney general to establish the center.
(b) The attorney general may provide funds to the center
for:
(1) establishing and maintaining the operations of the
center;
(2) training conducted by or through the center;
(3) travel expenses incurred by a sexual assault nurse
examiner for:
(A) carrying out the nurse's duties under Section
420.103(a); or
(B) testifying as a witness outside the nurse's
county of residence;
(4) equipment and software applications for the
center; and
(5) any other purpose considered appropriate by the
attorney general.
Sec. 420.107. CONSULTATION REQUIRED. In implementing this
subchapter, the attorney general shall consult with persons with
expertise in medicine and forensic medical examinations, a
statewide sexual assault coalition, a statewide organization with
expertise in the operation of children's advocacy programs, and
attorneys with expertise in prosecuting sexual assault offenses.
Sec. 420.108. RULES. The attorney general may adopt rules
as necessary to implement this subchapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 71 passed the Senate on
April 4, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 71 passed the House on
May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor