SB274 - Relating to the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities renamed as the office for health equity and the duties of that office.

  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.