Bill Caption

Relating to reports on death from reportable and other communicable diseases to county health authorities and health departments. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication the the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 464 would require that if the Department of Health Services provides to a part-time health authority information on a death from a reportable or other communicable disease reported to the department, the department must also provide the information to the director of the local health department for the county served by the health authority. 

SB 464 further requires a physician appointed to serve as health authority for a county part-time to coordinate with the director of the local, county health department to perform the duties of a local public health authority, and notify the department that the physician serves part-time in the county health authority. If the department provides information to this part-time physician the department must also provide the information to the director of the local health department for the county. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 464 represents a measured way to ensure that part-time employees have needed access to relevant information and report communicable disease deaths more quickly and effectively to the state. This would likely have the effect of making the flow of information more accurate and efficient, particularly during a pandemic such as COVID-19. Texas Action is neutral on SB 464 as it does not appear to touch on our liberty principles.