1. (a) Subject to the availability of funds, the department, in consultation with the consortium and local health units, local health departments, and public health districts, shall:

   1. (1) develop curricula to provide training to public health workers;
   2. (2) conduct research on improving health status outcomes and methods of monitoring those outcomes;
   3. (3) develop performance standards for local health units, local health departments, and public health districts;
   4. (4) develop competency certification standards for public health workers; and

   5. (5) study the technology infrastructure available to local health units, local health departments, and public health districts and improve the use of this infrastructure to permit:

      1. (A) statewide communication relating to disease surveillance and reporting of public health information; and
      2. (B) immediate access to public health information and collaboration among public health professionals.
2. (b) The training curricula described by Subsection (a)(1) may include training for local health authorities.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1378, Sec. 6, eff. June 19, 1999.