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                                                                  S.B. No. 261




AN ACT

relating to the creation of a program to educate the public on the 
value of health coverage and to increase public awareness of health 
coverage options.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 5, Insurance Code, as 
effective April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Chapter 524 to read as 
follows:
	CHAPTER 524.  HEALTH COVERAGE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
	Sec. 524.001.  PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.  (a)  The department 
shall develop and implement a health coverage public awareness and 
education program that complies with this chapter.  The program 
must:
		(1)  increase public awareness of health coverage 
options available in this state;
		(2)  educate the public on the value of health 
coverage; and         
		(3)  provide information on health coverage options, 
including health savings accounts and compatible high deductible 
health benefit plans.
	(b)  The department may include information about specific 
health coverage issuers but may not favor or endorse one particular 
issuer over another.
	Sec. 524.002.  PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS.  The department 
shall develop and make public service announcements to educate 
consumers and employers about the availability of health coverage 
in this state.
	Sec. 524.003.  INTERNET WEBSITE; PUBLIC EDUCATION.  (a)  The 
department shall develop an Internet website designed to educate 
the public about the availability of health coverage in this state, 
including information about health savings accounts and compatible 
high deductible health benefit plans.
	(b)  The department shall provide other appropriate 
education to the public regarding the value of health coverage.
	Sec. 524.004.  TASK FORCE.  (a)  The commissioner shall 
appoint a task force to make recommendations regarding the health 
coverage public awareness and education program.  The task force is 
composed of:
		(1)  one representative from each of the following 
groups or entities:
			(A)  health benefit coverage consumers;                               
			(B)  small employers;                                                 
			(C)  employers generally;                                             
			(D)  insurance agents;                                                
			(E)  the office of public insurance counsel;                          
			(F)  the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool;                            
			(G)  physicians;                                                      
			(H)  advanced practice nurses;                                        
			(I)  hospital trade associations; and                                 
			(J)  medical units of institutions of higher 
education;             
		(2)  a representative of the Health and Human Services 
Commission responsible for programs under Medicaid and the 
children's health insurance program; and
		(3)  one or more representatives of health benefit plan 
issuers.     
	(b)  The department shall consult the task force regarding 
the content for the public service announcements, Internet website, 
and educational materials required by this chapter.  The 
commissioner has authority to make final decisions as to what the 
program's materials will contain.
	Sec. 524.005.  FUNDING.  The department may accept gifts and 
grants from any party, including a health benefit plan issuer or a 
foundation associated with a health benefit plan issuer, to assist 
with funding the program.  The department shall adopt rules 
governing acceptance of donations that are consistent with Chapter 
575, Government Code.  Before adopting rules under this subsection, 
the department shall:
		(1)  submit the proposed rules to the Texas Ethics 
Commission for review; and
		(2)  consider the commission's recommendations 
regarding the regulations.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.





______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 261 passed the Senate on March 
31, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that the 
Senate concurred in House amendment on May 24, 2005, by the 
following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 261 passed the House, with 
amendment, on May 20, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, 
Nays 0, two present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor