85R3963 AAF-D     By: Metcalf H.B. No. 1816       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the operation of medical supply transport vehicles   during a declared state of disaster.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 546, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter C to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER C. OPERATION OF MEDICAL SUPPLY TRANSPORT VEHICLES           Sec. 546.051.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Emergency care facility" means a health care   facility, including a freestanding emergency medical care   facility, hospital, temporary emergency clinic, and trauma   facility, that provides emergency medical care.                (2)  "Freestanding emergency medical care facility"   means a facility licensed under Chapter 254, Health and Safety   Code.                (3)  "Medical supply distributor" means a person   authorized to transport prescription drugs and other medical   supplies to emergency care facilities or pharmacies.                (4)  "Pharmacy" has the meaning assigned by Section   551.003, Occupations Code.                (5)  "Trauma facility" has the meaning assigned by   Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.          Sec. 546.052.  MEDICAL SUPPLY TRANSPORT VEHICLES DURING   DECLARED DISASTER. (a) A vehicle used by a medical supply   distributor to transport prescription drugs and other medical   supplies to an emergency care facility or pharmacy located in an   area declared a disaster area by the governor under Chapter 418,   Government Code, may have access to highways, streets, and bridges   as if the transport vehicle were an emergency vehicle if:                (1)  law enforcement officials in the disaster area can   provide adequate security to protect the prescription drugs and   other medical supplies from theft;                (2)  the weight of the transport vehicle will not   jeopardize the structural integrity of any highway, street, or   bridge located in the disaster area; and                (3)  the transport vehicle will not negatively impact   evacuation activities or any response or recovery activities in the   disaster area.          (b)  The Texas Division of Emergency Management shall:                (1)  establish procedures to assist medical supply   distributors in accessing highways, streets, and bridges as   authorized by Subsection (a); and                (2)  provide medical supply distributors with   documentation specifying the distributors' access to highways,   streets, and bridges as authorized by Subsection (a).          SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2018, the Texas   Division of Emergency Management shall establish the procedures   required by Section 546.052(b), Transportation Code, as added by   this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.