Sec. 418.0547.  ACCESS TO LOCAL VOLUNTEER NETWORKS; VOLUNTEER MOBILE MEDICAL UNITS.  (a)  The division, in consultation with the Department of State Health Services, shall increase awareness of and encourage local government emergency response teams to utilize services provided by local volunteer networks, including the Medical Reserve Corps, that are available in the area to respond during a disaster or emergency.
(b)  The division shall develop a plan to create and manage state-controlled volunteer mobile medical units in each public health region to assist counties that lack access to a volunteer network described by Subsection (a).
(c)  The Department of State Health Services shall collaborate with local medical organizations that represent licensed physicians who practice in a county or public health region to:
(1)  ensure the physicians are informed about local government emergency response teams and those teams are aware of physician resources in the county or region, as applicable;
(2)  compile and maintain a list of physicians in the county or region and the contact information for the physicians;
(3)  provide up-to-date information about resources for physicians regarding disaster planning, including continuing medical education;
(4)  promote the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry and the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals;
(5)  consider incentives to assist with recruiting physician volunteers; and
(6)  encourage physicians and health professionals to advocate for disaster planning measures in health care facilities.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 614 (S.B. 982), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Redesignated from Government Code, Section 418.055 by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 21.001(19), eff. September 1, 2021.