HBA-NMO H.B. 3036 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3036
By: Smithee
Public Health
3/31/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires a health benefit plan to cover the cost of certain
immunizations for children. H.B. 3036 requires the Texas Board of Health to
adopt an immunization schedule that complies with guidelines developed by
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Practice.  This bill also
adds immunization against rotavirus to the list of immunizations that a
health benefit plan is required to cover. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 161.004(f), Health and Safety Code, to require
the Texas Board of Health to adopt an immunization schedule that complies
with the guidelines for immunization schedules developed by the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics,
and the American Academy of Family Practice. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 3(a), Article 21.53F, Insurance Code, as added
by Chapter 683, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to
include immunization against rotavirus and any other immunization that is
required by statute or rule, rather than law, in the list of immunizations
for which health benefit plan is required to provide coverage. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.
            Makes application of Section 2 this Act prospective. 

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.