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Welcome to TPHA's Public Health Policy page!
Updated June 15, 2009!
Highlights of the 81st TX Legislative Session
Governor Perry has until June 21st to sign or veto bills.
These bills have been signed by the Governor and are highlighted in gold in the matrix
NEW
HB 1363 - Relating to a voluntary statewide diabetes mellitus registry.
- HB 1240 - Relating to information required to be provided to parents of an infant.
- HB 1672 - Relating to the confidentiality of newborn screening.
- HB 1990 - Relating to a diabetes self-management training pilot program under the state Medicaid program.
OLD
HB 703 - Relating to fall prevention.
SB 346 - Relating to information submitted to and maintained in the immunization registry after and individual becomes and adult.
SB 347 - Relating to the receipt and release of immunization information by the immunization registry in connection with a disaster; providing penalties.
HB 1067 - Relating to a memorandum of understanding between certain authorized entities to share suicide data that does not identify any individual.
These bills are awaiting the Governor's signature and are highlighted in aqua in the matrix
NEW
HB 1362 - Relating to the pilot program for reporting of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus infections.
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HB 1409 - Relating to the minimum patient age for administration of an immunization or vaccination by a pharmacist.
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HB 1795 - Relating to newborn screening and the creation of the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee.
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HB 281 - Relating to grants for school-based health centers and reports submitted by those centers.
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SB 1171 - Relating to certain health-related reports, records, and information.
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SB 1328 - Relating to a study on the feasibility of providing vaccines to first responders deployed to a disaster area.
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SB 1732 - Relating to safety requirements for public swimming pools and other artificial bodies of water.
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SB 283 - Relating to the membership and activities of local school health advisory councils and to parental involvement in human sexuality instruction in public schools.
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SB 291 - Relating to hepatitis B vaccination for students enrolled in certain health-related courses of study at an institution of higher education.
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SB 343 - Relating to the creation of an advisory committee to study the retail availability of healthy foods in certain underserved areas of this state.
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SB 361 - Relating to the requirement that water and sewer service providers ensure operations during an extended power outage.
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SB 532 - Relating to a physician’s delegation of prescriptive authority to physician assistants or advanced practice nurses.
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SB 891 - Relating to public school physical education curriculum.
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SB 892 - Relating to inclusion in a public school campus improvement plan of goals and objectives for the campus coordinated health program.
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SB 968 - Relating to interactive water features and fountains.
OLD
HB 448 - Relating to requiring the Department of State Health Services to implement a provider choice system.
HB 1409 - Relating to the minimum patient age for administration of an immunization or vaccination by a pharmacist.
SB 381 - Relating to the authority of physicians to delegate to certain pharmacists the implementation and modification of a patient’s drug therapy.
HB 1530 - Relating to the licensing and regulation of health-related pest control by the Department of Agriculture.
HB 3012 - Relating to food handlers.
Other Public Health Policy "Good to Know" Information
* Go to this website to get legislator contact information http://www.legis.state.tx.us/
*As an affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA), our public health policy agendas are often similar. Here is the link to their advocacy page http://www.apha.org/advocacy/activities/
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WHAT IS ADVOCACY? WHY PARTICIPATE?
Because YOU Can Make a Difference
Education + Action = Advocacy.
As the public health community knows first hand, education is key.
When citizens become educated about an issue and the decision making process,
it empowers them to get involved and act,
thus helping to chart the direction of policy.
Educating communities and getting various partners involved in
public health issues makes for healthier communities.
It’s easy!
A little about Advocacy.....
An advocate is a person who educates and/or urges support for a particular issue or cause.
Advocates can be individuals, non-profit groups, independent agencies or other organizations.
A public health advocate attempts to influence the way the public and
policy-makers think and act on public health policies.
Advocacy efforts may be directed toward issues of general importance as well
as specific issues that are currently under consideration by legislators and other policy makers.
It is important to make the distinction between advocacy,
lobbying, and electioneering.
The following table may be helpful in making this determination.
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ADVOCACY
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LOBBYING
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ELECTIONEERING
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Educating legislators, urging support for a particular issue or cause
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Asking for a vote in favor of or against a specific piece of legislation
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Campaigning on behalf of or voicing opposition to a particular candidate
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Workplace Issues
Most employers will have strict guidelines about whether and to what extent advocacy
efforts can be conducted at the workplace.
Lobbying is generally not allowed and electioneering is almost always prohibited.
It is important to check with your employer’s government affairs or human resources office to obtain this information before you engage in any efforts of this sort during work time.
Getting Started
It is important to recognize that you can make a difference.
Your policy-makers welcome your opinions and knowledge about issues affecting you,
your community, and your state.
Although working with legislators and other elected officials may at first seem intimidating,
you can become an effective public health advocate by understanding the legislative process and following the guidelines provided in this document.
The Texas Public Health Association is also available to assist you in every way possible.
You can contact us by phone at:
512-336-2520 or by email at: txpha@aol.com.
Read more about advocating for public health in Texas in
TPHA's Public Health Advocacy Handbook
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