GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 541. PEDIATRIC TELE-CONNECTIVITY RESOURCE PROGRAM FOR RURAL TEXAS

GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH

SUBTITLE I. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CHAPTER 541. PEDIATRIC TELE-CONNECTIVITY RESOURCE PROGRAM FOR RURAL TEXAS

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Nonurban health care facility" means a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or other licensed health care facility in this state that is located in a rural area as defined by Section 845.002, Insurance Code.

(2) "Pediatric specialist" means a physician who is certified in general pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics or American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.

(3) "Pediatric subspecialist" means a physician who is certified in a pediatric subspecialty by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.

(4) "Pediatric tele-specialty provider" means a pediatric health care facility in this state that offers continuous access to telemedicine medical services provided by pediatric subspecialists.

(5) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine in this state.

(6) "Program" means the pediatric tele-connectivity resource program for rural Texas established under this chapter.

(7) "Telemedicine medical services" means health care services delivered to a patient:

(A) by a physician acting within the scope of the physician's license or a health professional acting under the delegation and supervision of a physician and within the scope of the health professional's license;

(B) from a physical location that is different from the patient's location; and

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.002. PEDIATRIC TELE-CONNECTIVITY RESOURCE PROGRAM FOR RURAL TEXAS. The commission with any necessary assistance of pediatric tele-specialty providers shall establish a pediatric tele-connectivity resource program for rural Texas to award grants to nonurban health care facilities to connect the facilities with pediatric specialists and pediatric subspecialists who provide telemedicine medical services.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.003. USE OF GRANT. A nonurban health care facility awarded a grant under this chapter may use grant money to:

(1) purchase equipment necessary for implementing a telemedicine medical service;

(2) modernize the facility's information technology infrastructure and secure information technology support to ensure an uninterrupted two-way video signal that is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191);

(3) pay a service fee to a pediatric tele-specialty provider under an annual contract with the provider; or

(4) pay for other activities, services, supplies, facilities, resources, and equipment the commission determines necessary for the facility to use a telemedicine medical service.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.004. SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS. (a) The commission with any necessary assistance of pediatric tele-specialty providers may select an eligible nonurban health care facility to receive a grant under this chapter.

(b) To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, a nonurban health care facility must have:

(1) a quality assurance program that measures the compliance of the facility's health care providers with the facility's medical protocols;

(2) on staff at least one full-time equivalent physician who has training and experience in pediatrics and one person who is responsible for ongoing nursery and neonatal support and care;

(3) a designated neonatal intensive care unit or an emergency department;

(4) a commitment to obtaining neonatal or pediatric education from a tertiary facility to expand the facility's depth and breadth of telemedicine medical service capabilities; and

(5) the capability of maintaining records and producing reports that measure the effectiveness of a grant received by the facility under this chapter.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.005. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. (a) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this chapter.

(b) A political subdivision that participates in the program may pay part of the costs of the program.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.006. WORK GROUP. (a) The commission may establish a program work group to:

(1) assist the commission with developing, implementing, or evaluating the program; and

(2) prepare a report on the results and outcomes of the grants awarded under this chapter.

(b) A member of a program work group established under this section is not entitled to compensation for serving on the program work group and may not be reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting the business of the program work group.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.007. REPORT TO GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE. Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and members of the legislature regarding the activities of the program and grant recipients, including the results and outcomes of grants awarded under this chapter.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.008. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025

Sec. 541.009. SPECIFIC APPROPRIATION REQUIRED. The commission may not spend state funds to accomplish the purposes of this chapter and is not required to award a grant under this chapter unless money is appropriated for the purposes of this chapter.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 3.01(3), eff. April 1, 2025.