84R15431 LED-D
	By: Bonnen of Galveston, Lucio III, Blanco	H.B. No. 3105
	Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3105:
	By:  Crownover	C.S.H.B. No. 3105

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the establishment of a multi-stakeholder advisory
	committee on health literacy.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 1002, Health and Safety Code, is amended
	by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER F. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
	LITERACY
	Sec. 1002.251.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1)  "Advisory committee" means the multi-stakeholder
	advisory committee on health literacy established under this
	subchapter.
	(2)  "Health literacy" means the degree to which an
	individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and
	understand basic health information and services so the person may
	make appropriate decisions about the treatment, payment, or
	coverage of health care and navigate complexities in the health
	care system.
	Sec. 1002.252.  MULTI-STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
	HEALTH LITERACY. The institute shall establish a multi-stakeholder
	advisory committee on health literacy to study and make
	recommendations to improve health literacy in this state.
	Sec. 1002.253.  COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The
	advisory committee is composed of:
	(1)  three members of the board selected by the
	presiding officer of the board;
	(2)  a representative from each of the following
	agencies, selected by the executive head of the agency:
	(A)  the Department of Aging and Disability
	Services;
	(B)  the center for elimination of
	disproportionality and disparities;
	(C)  the Employees Retirement System of Texas;
	(D)  the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; and
	(E)  each state agency or system of higher
	education that purchases or provides health care services, as
	determined by the governor;
	(3)  the following representatives appointed by the
	governor:
	(A)  three employers domiciled in this state; and
	(B)  three health care consumers; and
	(4)  the following ex officio members:
	(A)  the commissioner or the commissioner's
	designee;
	(B)  the commissioner of insurance or the
	commissioner of insurance's designee; and
	(C)  the state Medicaid director of the commission
	or the director's designee.
	Sec. 1002.254.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The board shall appoint
	from among the members of the advisory committee a presiding
	officer and an assistant presiding officer.
	Sec. 1002.255.  VACANCY. A vacancy on the advisory
	committee shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the
	original appointment.
	Sec. 1002.256.  MEETINGS. The advisory committee shall meet
	at the call of the presiding officer.
	Sec. 1002.257.  DUTIES. (a) The advisory committee shall:
	(1)  develop an expanded definition of health literacy
	that includes a focus on a patient's need for transparent
	information about the cost and quality of health care and available
	treatment options;
	(2)  examine the impact of low health literacy on
	health care cost and quality outcomes; and
	(3)  develop policy recommendations, based on the
	findings of the advisory committee, to:
	(A)  promote the use of plain language by health
	care providers;
	(B)  promote the use of simplified enrollment
	forms;
	(C)  develop health literacy resources for both
	providers and consumers of health care; and
	(D)  develop programs to support improved health
	literacy.
	(b)  The advisory committee may consult with and invite
	participation from groups, organizations, and agencies as needed to
	accomplish the goals of the committee.
	Sec. 1002.258.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The institute shall
	provide administrative support for the advisory committee.
	Sec. 1002.259.  REPORT. (a) The advisory committee shall
	prepare a report that includes the committee's findings and policy
	recommendations under Section 1002.257.
	(b)  Not later than October 1, 2016, the advisory committee
	shall submit the report required under this section to the
	institute for inclusion in the institute's biennial report and
	recommendations to the legislature.
	Sec. 1002.260.  COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. Members of the
	advisory committee serve without compensation and may not be
	reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting
	the business of the advisory committee.
	Sec. 1002.261.  EXPIRATION. The advisory committee is
	abolished and this subchapter expires September 1, 2017.
	SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2015, the appropriate
	appointing authorities shall appoint the members of the
	multi-stakeholder advisory committee on health literacy in
	accordance with Subchapter F, Chapter 1002, Health and Safety Code,
	as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.