Bill: HB 2646, 84(R) - 2015

Bill Caption

Relating to the disclosure of information regarding communicable diseases to first responders and certain entities.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

There may be costs to local health departments and health authorities to provide to first responders the physical address of persons being monitored by the local department or authority; however, no significant impact is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Current law authorizes medical or epidemiological information to be released to certain federal agencies and medical personnel.

The bill would authorize information linking a person who is exposed to a person with a communicable disease to be released to:

• governmental entities that provide first responders who may respond to a situation involving a potential communicable disease of concern and need the information to properly respond to the situation; or
• a local health department or health authority for a designated monitoring period based on the potential risk for developing symptoms of a communicable disease of concern.

Vote Recommendation Notes

5/25/2015 update:

This bill was not amended on the House floor or in the Senate committee. We continue to support HB 2646.

The second chamber sponsor is Senator West.

First chamber recommendation below:

The 2014 Ebola outbreak wreaked havoc at health care facilities and the state and local levels of government. This legislation is designed to address state and local health agency deficiencies by equipping them with the necessary information during the monitoring period of a person who is directly or indirectly exposed to Ebola. Establishing the coordination of the release of monitoring information to first responders fits within our view of a legitimate role of government. We support HB 2646.

Source URL (retrieved on 05/13/2025 04:05 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb2646?print_view=true