H.B. No. 246

	AN ACT
	relating to reports on cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome
	and human immunodeficiency virus infection.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 81.043, Health and Safety Code, is
	amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and
	(d) to read as follows:
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a [A] health
	authority shall report reportable diseases to the department's
	central office at least as frequently as the interval set by board
	rule.
	(c)  A health authority each week shall report to the
	department's central office all cases reported to the authority
	during the previous week of:
	(1)  acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and
	(2)  human immunodeficiency virus infection.
	(d)  A health authority must include in a report filed under
	Subsection (c) all information required by the department for
	purposes of this section or other law, including:
	(1)  an infected person's city and county of residence,
	age, gender, race, ethnicity, and national origin; and
	(2)  the method by which the disease was transmitted.
	SECTION 2.  Section 81.044, Health and Safety Code, is
	amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
	(d)  For a case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome or
	human immunodeficiency virus infection, the department shall
	require the reports to contain:
	(1)  the information described by Subsection (b); and
	(2)  the patient's ethnicity, national origin, and city
	and county of residence.
	SECTION 3.  Section 81.052, Health and Safety Code, is
	amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1),
	(b-2), and (b-3) to read as follows:
	(b)  The department shall:
	(1)  quarterly compile the information submitted under
	Section 81.043(c) and make the compiled data available to the
	public within six months of the last day of each quarter;
	(2)  annually [routinely] analyze and determine trends
	in incidence and prevalence of AIDS and HIV infection by region,
	city, county, age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin,
	transmission category, and other factors as appropriate; and
	(3)  annually prepare a report on the analysis
	conducted under Subdivision (2) and make the report available to
	the public.
	(b-1)  The department may not include any information that
	would allow the identification of an individual in an analysis
	conducted under Subsection (b) or in a report prepared under that
	subsection.
	(b-2)  Not later than January 1, 2009, the department shall
	prepare and submit to both houses of the legislature a report that:
	(1)  addresses emerging technologies and advancements
	in AIDS and HIV infection surveillance and epidemiology, including
	the use of the technologies and advancements to improve the testing
	for and reporting of AIDS and HIV infection; and
	(2)  makes recommendations regarding this state's use
	of the emerging technologies and advancements to enhance
	surveillance, treatment, and prevention of AIDS and HIV infection.
	(b-3)  Subsection (b-2) and this subsection expire September
	1, 2009.
	SECTION 4.  (a)  Not later than January 1, 2008, the
	executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
	shall adopt the rules and procedures necessary to comply with
	Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.
	(b)  Notwithstanding Sections 81.043, 81.044, and 81.052,
	Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, a health authority
	and the Department of State Health Services are not required to
	comply with the changes in law made to these sections before January
	1, 2008.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 246 was passed by the House on March
	28, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, 2 present, not
	voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
	No. 246 on May 16, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2
	present, not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 246 was passed by the Senate, with
	amendments, on May 8, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED: __________________
	Date
	__________________
	Governor