87(R) HB 728 - Introduced version - Bill Text

	87R1479 KKR-D
	By:  Lucio III	H.B.  No.  728

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to public health laboratory testing capabilities in
	certain counties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Subchapter F,  Chapter 12, Health and Safety
	Code, is amended by adding Sections 12.0725, 12.073, and 12.074 to
	read as follows:
	Sec.  12.0725.    PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY REPORT. (a) Not
	later than September 1, 2022, the department shall prepare and
	submit a written or electronic report to the legislature on public
	laboratories in counties adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border. The
	report must include:
	(1)    information on the existing testing capabilities
	of the public laboratories, focusing on clinical, environmental,
	and zoonotic testing capabilities; and
	(2)    recommendations to increase the efficiency,
	effectiveness, and productivity of the public laboratories through
	administrative action and legislation.
	(b)    The department shall collaborate with local health
	departments established under Subchapter D, Chapter 121, and public
	and private testing laboratories to collect information and develop
	recommendations for the report.
	(c)    This section expires September 1, 2023.
	Sec.  12.073.    LOCAL AGREEMENTS TO INCREASE LABORATORY
	TESTING. (a) Using available resources and as the department
	determines appropriate, the department shall enter into agreements
	with institutions of higher education as defined by Section 61.003,
	Education Code, and public and private testing laboratories in this
	state to increase the availability of public health laboratory
	testing services for local health departments established under
	Subchapter D, Chapter 121, in counties adjacent to the Texas-Mexico
	border.
	(b)    The agreements must establish protocols that:
	(1)    ensure confidentiality of the laboratory testing;
	(2)    require the testing procedures to satisfy state
	standards for laboratory testing;
	(3)    provide cost-effective resources to local health
	departments to increase the availability of laboratory testing in
	border counties;
	(4)    enhance the laboratory testing capacity,
	including testing of human and nonhuman specimens, in border
	counties; and
	(5)    ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and
	accuracy of laboratory test results.
	Sec.  12.074.    YEAR-ROUND ACCESS TO LABORATORY TESTING FOR
	VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES. (a) Using available resources
	and as the department determines appropriate, the department shall
	support access to year-round laboratory testing for vector-borne
	and zoonotic diseases to record and address local outbreaks of
	vector-borne and zoonotic diseases in border counties that are most
	at risk for the year-round outbreaks, including Maverick, Val
	Verde, Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron Counties.
	(b)    The department may directly authorize access to the
	testing or may enter into a local agreement under Section 12.073 to
	authorize access to the testing. The testing may include, as
	appropriate:
	(1)    arboviral testing;
	(2)    speciation testing;
	(3)    PCR testing;
	(4)    IgM testing;
	(5)    IgG testing; and
	(6)    any other testing the department determines
	appropriate.
	SECTION  2.    The Department of State Health Services is
	required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
	legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If
	the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
	purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a
	provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that
	purpose.
	SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.