February 4, 2003

Texas Senate

Texas Senator Kyle Janek on Tuesday filed Senate Bill 355, which he said is intended to update Texas’ laws to meet the public health needs and threats of the 21st century; and SB 356 relating to disposition of contaminated body parts.

“The events of September 11 changed not only the landscape of America but also America’s sense of security, especially in the area of public health," Janek said.  "The public health and safety of Texas’ citizens is a fundamental responsibility of this Legislature."

SB 355 defines “public health emergency” as an immediate threat from a communicable disease that poses a high risk of death or serious long-term disability to a large number of people,  and creates a substantial risk of public exposure. The bill addresses the state’s preparation for and response to such an emergency.

“If we are ever facing a bioterrorism outbreak, such as smallpox, we want to be sure that we know who’s going to declare an emergency, who’s handling quarantines. This legislation allows us to get the situation under control as quickly as possible,” Janek said.

Senate Bill 356 is complementary legislation to the public health preparedness bill updating the Code of Criminal Procedure to treat a body part in the same manner as bodies.

Texas received $59,749,890 from the January 2002 federal bioterrorism appropriations bill to fund its Public Health Resource Needs Plan.  Revisions to Texas’ statutes are required to provide those who will be responding to emergencies with sufficient authority to respond effectively in a public health emergency. The bills are the culmination of months of study and research by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

“Senate Bill 355 and 356 enable the state to respond to bioterrorism with the coordinated and well-organized approach necessary to protect our citizens.”

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