TITLE: Relating to the installation of bollards or another safety barrier adjacent to certain hospital emergency rooms.

SUMMARY: Relating to the installation of bollards or another safety barrier adjacent to certain hospital emergency rooms.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the installation of bollards or another safety barrier adjacent to certain hospital emergency rooms. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 311, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER B. EMERGENCY SERVICES;EMERGENCY ROOMS SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 311, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 311.025 to read as follows: Sec. 311.025. EMERGENCY ROOM CRASH BARRIERS REQUIRED. (a) In this section, "hospital" means a hospital licensed under Chapter 241. (b) If a hospital maintains an emergency room located near an area with vehicular traffic, the hospital shall install crash-rated bollards or another similar safety barrier adjacent to the emergency room in a manner likely to prevent a motor vehicle from crashing into the emergency room. (c) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. SECTION 3. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act but not later than December 1, 2025, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules as required by Section 311.025(c), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. (b) A hospital to which Section 311.025, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies is not required to comply with the requirements of that section until January 1, 2026. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.