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