March 8, 2024

1:00 p.m.

Public Hearing Site:

Texas Department of State Health Services

Robert Bernstein Building

First Floor, Room K-100

1100 West 49th Street

Austin, Texas 78756

This public hearing will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the public hearing in person at the address above or access a live stream of the public hearing at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for the Bernstein K-100 Live on the date and time for this public hearing. Please email Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

Public Hearing. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will conduct a hybrid public hearing, at the date, time, and location stated above. The public hearing will be conducted from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If the time allotted does not accommodate all the persons who registered by 2:00 p.m., DSHS will extend the public hearing to accommodate those registrants. However, that extension will only be until 5:00 p.m. on March 8, 2024. The public hearing will be conducted to receive public comment concerning the EMS-Trauma rules proposed by DSHS, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 157, as related to Senate Bill (S.B.) 330, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, House Bill (H.B.) 15, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, H.B. 3433, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, S.B. 984, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, S.B. 969, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, and S.B. 1397, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021. DSHS proposes amendments to Title 25, Texas Administrative Code, §157.2 concerning Definitions and §157.128 concerning Denial, Suspension, and Revocation of Trauma Facility Designation. DSHS also proposes the repeal of §157.123 concerning Regional Emergency Medical Services/Trauma Systems; §157.125 concerning Requirements for Trauma Facility Designation; §157.130 concerning Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care System Account and Emergency Medical Services, Trauma Facilities, and Trauma Care System Fund; and §157.131 concerning Designated Trauma Facility and Emergency Medical Services Account. DSHS further proposes new §157.123 concerning Regional Advisory Councils; §157.125 concerning Requirements for Trauma Facility Designation; and §157.130 concerning Funds for Emergency Medical Services, Trauma Facilities, and Trauma Care Systems, and the Designated Trauma Facility and Emergency Services Account. The proposed rules were published in the January 19, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 199).

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

Welcome and call to order

Public hearing on EMS-Trauma System proposed rules as related to Senate Bill (S.B.) 330, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, House Bill (H.B.) 15, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, H.B. 3433, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, S.B. 984, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, S.B. 969, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, and S.B. 1397, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021

Adjourn

Public Comment: DSHS welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to any agenda items noted above. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment may choose from the following options:

Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide oral comments virtually during the public hearing by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/EMSTrauma_PCReg_Mar2024 no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the public hearing with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. There will be no open discussion during the public comment period. Comment time for each individual will be determined by the total number of people registered to speak in the time allotted. If time permits, comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker but may be further limited by DSHS if more registrants need to be accommodated. Each speaker providing oral public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their voice audible to the other participants while they are speaking. Each speaker must state their name and on whose behalf they are speaking (if anyone). If you pre-register to speak and wish to provide a handout before the public hearing, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be reviewed by DSHS staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5" by 11", one side only). Handouts must be emailed to DSHS.EMS-TRAUMA@dshs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the public hearing, but handouts will be reviewed by staff.

Written comments: Members of the public may provide written public comments by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/EMSTrauma_PCReg_Mar2024. A member of the public who wishes to provide written public comments must email the comments to no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Please include your name and the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments must be emailed to DSHS immediately after pre-registering (and include the name of the person who will be commenting, if applicable). Written comments are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5" by 11", one side only). Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the public hearing, but comments will be provided to the appropriate state staff.

Oral comments provided in-person at the public hearing location: Members of the public may provide oral public comment during the public hearing in person at the public hearing location either by pre-registering using the form above or without pre-registering by completing a form at the entrance to the hearing room before 2 p.m. the day of the public hearing. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. There will be no open discussion during the public comment period. Comment time for each individual will be determined by the total number of people registered to speak in the time allotted. If time permits, comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker but may be further limited by DSHS if more registrants need to be accommodated. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments.

Note: These procedures may be revised at the discretion of DSHS.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or public hearing arrangements should be directed to Jorie Klein, Director, EMS-Trauma System Section, at (512) 535-8538 or jorie.klein@dshs.texas.gov.

Persons who want to attend the public hearing and require assistive technology contact Klein or services should at (512) 535-8538 or jorie.klein@dshs.texas.gov at least 72 hours before the public hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.

This public hearing is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this public hearing.

TRD-202400734

Cynthia Hernandez

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Filed: February 21, 2024