H.B. No. 1256
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to access by certain persons to a first responder's
  immunization history.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 161.00708 to read as follows:
         Sec. 161.00708.  ACCESS TO FIRST RESPONDER IMMUNIZATION
  HISTORY. (a) The department shall establish a process to provide
  an employer of a first responder with direct access to the first
  responder's immunization information in the immunization registry
  for verification of the first responder's immunization history.
  The process must require a first responder to provide electronic or
  written consent before the employer is granted direct access to the
  first responder's immunization information in the immunization
  registry. A first responder may withdraw consent at any time.
         (b)  The department may establish a process to provide a
  first responder with access to the first responder's immunization
  information in the immunization registry.
         SECTION 2.  Section 161.008(d), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The department may release the data constituting an
  immunization record for the individual to:
               (1)  any entity that is described by Subsection (c);
               (2)  a school or child care facility in which the
  individual is enrolled; [or]
               (3)  a state agency having legal custody of the
  individual; or
               (4)  an employer of a first responder or a first
  responder in accordance with Section 161.00708.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2020, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  adopt rules as necessary to implement the changes in law made by
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1256 was passed by the House on April
  11, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1256 was passed by the Senate on May
  15, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor