85R12468 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)  "Nursing home" means a facility licensed under   Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code.                (5)  "Pharmacy" has the meaning assigned by Section   551.003, Occupations Code.                (6)  "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, pharmacy, or nursing home   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   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).          (c)  This section does not create a cause of action against a   law enforcement officer involved in assisting a medical supply   distributor under this section for any harm done to the distributor   resulting from that assistance.          SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2018, the Texas   Division of Emergency Management shall establish the procedures   required by Section 546.052(b)(1), Transportation Code, as added by   this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.