2017S0359-1 03/01/17 By: Uresti S.B. No. 2104 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study on the feasibility of using the statewide system of health care data collection to create a public database of charges billed by health care providers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 108, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 108.0137 to read as follows: Sec. 108.0137. STUDY REGARDING FEASIBILITY OF PUBLIC DATABASE OF CHARGES. (a) In this section, "nonprofit health corporation" means a health organization that is certified under Section 162.001, Occupations Code, and that holds a certificate of authority issued by the commissioner of insurance under Chapter 844, Insurance Code. (b) The department shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of creating a public database of charges billed by providers. (c) The database described by Subsection (b) would allow patients, health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit health corporations to determine charges billed according to each zip code in the state. (d) In conducting the study required by this section, the department shall consult with the Department of Information Resources. (e) Not later than December 1, 2018, the department shall report the results of the study required by this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives. (f) This section expires January 1, 2019. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.