bill creates a mobile stroke unit grant program

The text as introduced · 580 words

89R5595 JTZ-D

By: Alvarado
S.B. No. 722

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a mobile stroke unit grant program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended

by adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H-1. MOBILE STROKE UNIT GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 773.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services

Commission.

(2) "Grant program" means the mobile stroke unit grant

program established under this subchapter.

(3) "Mobile stroke unit" means a specialized emergency

medical services vehicle that:

(A) is equipped with a mobile computed tomography

scanner and other necessary medical equipment and medications for

diagnosing and treating an individual who suffers a stroke;

(B) is staffed with personnel trained to diagnose

and provide acute stroke treatment to an individual outside of a

hospital setting; and

(C) has a neurologist on board the vehicle or

available for consultation with the vehicle's personnel through a

telemedicine medical service, as defined by Section 111.001,

Occupations Code.

(4) "Stroke facility" has the meaning assigned by

Section 773.202.

Sec. 773.222. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT

PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish and

the commission shall administer a mobile stroke unit grant program

to improve health care outcomes for individuals who suffer a stroke

by providing financial assistance to stroke facilities and

increasing the availability of mobile stroke units in this state.

Sec. 773.223. APPLICATION. A stroke facility that holds a

comprehensive (Level 1) stroke designation from the department may

apply to the commission for a grant award under the grant program.

Sec. 773.224. AWARD OF GRANTS. (a) The executive

commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility criteria and a

scoring system for the commission to award grants under the

program.

(b) The commission may award grants under the program to

eligible applicants.

(c) The commission may only award a grant in accordance with

a contract between the commission and a grant recipient that

includes conditions providing the commission with sufficient

control to ensure the public purpose of improving public health is

accomplished and the state receives a return benefit.

Sec. 773.225. USE OF GRANT MONEY. A grant recipient may use

money awarded under the grant program only for the recipient's

capital costs associated with procuring equipment necessary to

operate a mobile stroke unit, including:

(1) a specialized emergency medical services vehicle;

(2) a mobile computed tomography scanner;

(3) medical equipment used in diagnosing or treating

an individual who suffers a stroke; and

(4) any other equipment the commission considers

necessary or appropriate.

Sec. 773.226. GRANT RECIPIENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT. A

grant recipient shall annually submit to the commission a report on

the recipient's use of grant money, including:

(1) the health outcomes of individuals treated by the

recipient's mobile stroke units; and

(2) the recipient's operating expenses associated with

operating mobile stroke units.

Sec. 773.227. FUNDING. The commission shall award grants

as provided by this subchapter from available money and any

additional money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 773.228. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission

may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source that are

made for the purposes of the grant program.

SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive

commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall

adopt the rules necessary to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 773,

Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.