First Substitute S.B. 57

Senator Beverly Ann Evans proposes the following substitute bill:

1 TELEHEALTH FOR RURAL UTAH
2 2006 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Beverly Ann Evans
5 House Sponsor: Gordon E. Snow
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends the duties of the Utah Digital Health Commission.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . amends the duties of the Utah Digital Health Commission.
13 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
14 This bill appropriates:
15 . as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $500,000 from the
16 General Fund for fiscal year 2006-07 to the University of Utah for the Utah
17 Tele-Health Network.
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 26-9f-104, as last amended by Chapter 209, Laws of Utah 2003
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 26-9f-104 is amended to read:

26 26-9f-104. Duties and responsibilities.
27 The commission shall:
28 (1) advise and make recommendations on telehealth issues to the department, the Utah
29 Technology Commission, and other state entities;
30 (2) promote collaborative efforts to establish technical compatibility, uniform policies,
31 and privacy features to meet legal, financial, commercial, and other societal requirements;
32 (3) serve as a clearinghouse on emerging telehealth technologies;
33 (4) identify, address, and seek to resolve the legal, ethical, regulatory, financial,
34 medical, and technological issues that may serve as barriers to telehealth;
35 (5) explore and encourage the development of telehealth systems as a means of
36 reducing health costs and increasing health care quality and access, including assisting rural
37 health care providers with access to or development of electronic medical records;
38 (6) seek public input on telehealth issues;
39 (7) educate the public, state officials, and the health care community on telehealth
40 issues; and
41 (8) advise the governor and Legislature on:
42 (a) the role of telehealth in the state;
43 (b) the policy issues related to telehealth;
44 (c) the changing telehealth needs and resources in the state; and
45 (d) state budgetary matters related to telehealth.
46 Section 2. Appropriation.
47 As an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, there is appropriated
48 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2006-07, $500,000 to the University of Utah for the Utah
49 Tele-Health Network.

*SB0057S01*