Bill Caption

Relating to emergency planning for the continued treatment and safety of end stage renal disease facility patients.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 1876 would require each end stage renal disease facility to adopt a written emergency preparedness and contingency operations plan to ensure care is provided during an emergency. Among other things, such an emergency plan must:

• be updated and approved annually by leadership
• include procedures to notify the State Department of Health Services, each hospital with a transfer agreement, the trauma service area regional advisory council, and each applicable local emergency management agency
• require the facility to execute a contract with another end stage renal facility within a 100-mile radius of the facility
• include a documented patient communications plan with procedures for notifying a patient when that patient's scheduled dialysis treatment is interrupted. 

SB 1876 would require these facilities to approve a continuity of care plan for the provision of dialysis treatment to facility patients during an emergency and provide a copy of the plan to each patient before providing or scheduling dialysis treatment. 

SB 1876 would also require end stage renal disease facilities to adopt an emergency contingency plan for the continuity of essential building systems for power and potable water. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on SB 1876.