bill renames the disparities center the office for health equity

The text as introduced · 973 words

89R375 LRM-D

By: Miles
S.B. No. 274

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

544.0001, 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 promote 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

promote health equity and 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

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

providers 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 who 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 the legislature appropriates; 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 who 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 contributing 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, 2025.