H.B. No. 3405
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a sickle cell task force.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 50 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 50.  SICKLE CELL TASK FORCE
         Sec. 50.001.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.  The executive
  commissioner, in collaboration with the members appointed to the
  Newborn Screening Advisory Committee to represent the sickle cell
  community, shall establish and maintain a task force to raise
  awareness of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.
         Sec. 50.002.  DUTIES. (a)  The task force shall study and
  advise the department on implementing the recommendations made in
  the 2018 Sickle Cell Advisory Committee Report published by the
  Sickle Cell Advisory Committee or any other report the executive
  commissioner determines is appropriate.
         (b)  The executive commissioner may assign tasks to the task
  force to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. 
         Sec. 50.003.  COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is
  composed of the following members appointed by the executive
  commissioner:
               (1)  two members from community-based organizations
  with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle
  cell disease; 
               (2)  two physicians specializing in hematology; 
               (3)  two members of the public, each of whom either has
  sickle cell disease or is a parent of a person with sickle cell
  disease or trait; and 
               (4)  one representative of a health-related
  institution.
         Sec. 50.004.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The executive
  commissioner shall provide administrative support services at the
  request of the task force.
         Sec. 50.005.  PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS. (a)  The task
  force shall elect a presiding officer from among its membership.
         (b)  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
  officer.
         (c)  The task force shall hold its first meeting not later
  than December 1, 2019.  This subsection expires September 1, 2021. 
         Sec. 50.006.  COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT; GIFTS, GRANTS,
  AND DONATIONS.  A task force member is not entitled to compensation
  for service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
  actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force
  duties. The task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to
  pay for those expenses.
         Sec. 50.007.  ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
  each year, the task force shall prepare and submit to the governor
  and the legislature an annual written report that summarizes the
  task force's work and includes any recommended actions or policy
  changes endorsed by the task force.
         SECTION 2.  The sickle cell task force is not required to
  comply with the reporting requirements under Section 50.007, Health
  and Safety Code, as added by this Act, until December 1, 2020.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3405 was passed by the House on April
  17, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 123, Nays 18, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3405 was passed by the Senate on May
  21, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor