CHAPTER 107. HEALTH DISPARITIES TASK FORCE - Texas Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

TITLE 2. HEALTH

SUBTITLE E. HEALTH CARE COUNCILS AND RESOURCE CENTERS

CHAPTER 107. HEALTH DISPARITIES TASK FORCE

Sec. 107.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of

the Health and Human Services Commission.

(3) "Health and human services agency" means a health and human

services agency listed by Section 531.001, Government Code.

(4) "Task force" means the health disparities task force

established under this chapter.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

222, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 107.002. PURPOSE. The purpose of the task force is to

assist the commission in accomplishing the following goals:

(1) to eliminate health and health access disparities in Texas

among racial, multicultural, disadvantaged, ethnic, and regional

populations; and

(2) to structure health and human services agency programs to

eliminate health and health access disparities.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

222, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 107.003. DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:

(1) investigate and report on issues related to health and

health access disparities among racial, multicultural,

disadvantaged, ethnic, and regional populations;

(2) develop short-term and long-term strategies to eliminate

health and health access disparities among racial, multicultural,

disadvantaged, ethnic, and regional populations, with a focus on

structuring health and human services agency programs to

eliminate those disparities;

(3) monitor the progress of each health and human services

agency in:

(A) eliminating health and health access disparities; and

(B) structuring the agency's program activities to eliminate the

disparities; and

(4) advise each health and human services agency on the

implementation of any targeted programs or funding authorized by

the legislature to address health and health access disparities.

(b) In performing the duties described in Subsection (a), the

task force shall consult with each health and human services

agency, the Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities, and

any other relevant division of the commission.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

222, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 107.004. REPORT. The task force shall submit a biennial

report on the progress of each health and human services agency

in accomplishing the goals described by Section 107.002 to the

governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of

representatives. This report may be combined with any other

report required of the commission by law.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

1293, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

222, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 107.005. COMPOSITION. (a) The task force consists of nine

members as follows:

(1) three members appointed by the governor, each of whom

represents a different interest described by Subsection (b);

(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor, each of

whom represents a different interest described by Subsection (b);

and

(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the house of

representatives, each of whom represents a different interest

described by Subsection (b).

(b) Each of the members appointed under Subsection (a) must

represent one of the following areas:

(1) business;

(2) labor;

(3) government;

(4) charitable or community organizations;

(5) racial or ethnic populations; or

(6) community-based health organizations.

(c) Members appointed under Subsection (a) must represent both

urban and rural areas of this state, including urban and rural

areas of the state adjacent to the border with the United Mexican

States.

(d) The governor shall designate a member of the committee to

serve as presiding officer.

(e) Members serve staggered two-year terms. Four or five

members' terms expire February 1 of each year.

(f) An appointment to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term of a

member shall be made not later than the 90th day after the date

the position becomes vacant.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 107.006. MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at the call

of the presiding officer.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 107.007. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. A task force member

is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement

for the member's travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660,

Government Code, and the General Appropriations Act.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 107.008. PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES. The task force is

administratively attached to the commission. The commission

shall provide the necessary staff and facilities to assist the

task force in performing its duties.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

222, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 107.009. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,

Government Code, does not apply to the task force.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1434, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.