Bill > SB968

This bill relates to public health disaster and public health emergency preparedness and response, and provides a civil penalty. Key provisions: - Limits the Texas Medical Board from issuing orders or adopting regulations that prohibit or limit non-elective medical procedures during a declared state of disaster, and allows the Board to temporarily limit or prohibit other medical procedures only if necessary to conserve resources for non-elective procedures or disaster response. - Requires the Division of Emergency Management to enter into contracts with manufacturers or distributors to guarantee a supply of personal protective equipment for use during a public health disaster. - Prohibits political subdivisions from issuing orders during a disaster that limit or prohibit certain housing, construction, and real estate activities. - Requires the Department of State Health Services to develop and implement a disease prevention information system to distribute immunization information during a declared disaster or emergency. - Establishes a process for the Division of Emergency Management to identify and conduct wellness checks on medically fragile individuals during certain events, such as extended power outages or declared disasters. - Modifies the definitions of "public health disaster" and adds a definition for "public health emergency" to clarify when the Commissioner of Health can declare such situations. - Imposes civil penalties on health care facilities that fail to submit required reports during a declared public health disaster. The bill aims to improve the state's preparedness and response to public health emergencies and disasters.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=SB968