AJR43: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2384/2

PJD:kmg:ch

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 43

April 9, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Schneider, Reynolds, Wasserman and Young. Referred to Joint committee on Information Policy.

AJR43,1,2 Relating to: directing the joint committee on information policy to investigate the year 2000 problem preparedness of the health care industry in this state.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This joint resolution directs the joint committee on information policy to investigate the year 2000 problem preparedness of the health care industry in this state. The year 2000 problem is caused by computer and microchip errors related to the millennium date change. The joint committee must prepare and introduce in this legislative session any legislation needed to address the year 2000 problem preparedness of the health care industry in this state and must submit to the 2001-2002 legislature, when it convenes, any of the committee's recommendations, including legislation, that have not been implemented or enacted by that time.

The joint resolution authorizes the joint committee on information policy to procure the attendance of witnesses before the committee and require the production of books, records, documents and papers as provided in section 13.31 of the statutes in regard to the year 2000 problem preparedness of the health care industry in this state. A person who is subpoenaed and does not comply with the terms of the subpoena may be punished for contempt as specified in sections 13.26 and 13.27 of the statutes.

The responsibilities and powers of the joint committee on information policy under this joint resolution expire when the 2001-2002 legislature convenes.

AJR43,2,3 Whereas, computer and microchip errors related to the millennium date change, also known as the year 2000 problem, threaten to cause the failure of many computers and other electronic devices; and

AJR43,2,5 Whereas, the year 2000 problem could lead to the failure of health care computers and medical devices; and

AJR43,2,7 Whereas, the failure of such computers and medical devices due to the year 2000 problem poses a significant threat to the health care industry in this state; and

AJR43,2,9 Whereas, the quality of health care is crucial to the health and well-being of inhabitants of this state; and

AJR43,2,11 Whereas, the loss of health care due to the year 2000 problem could be detrimental to the inhabitants of this state; and

AJR43,2,13 Whereas, information about the scope of year 2000 preparedness in the health care industry in this state is important to ensure continued health care; and

AJR43,2,16 Whereas, the joint committee on information policy is conducting public hearings about general year 2000 preparedness in this state to determine whether legislation is needed to address year 2000 preparedness; and

AJR43,2,20 Whereas, it is critical for the Wisconsin legislature to have the most accurate and complete information about the scope of year 2000 preparedness in the health care industry in this state and to have that information in the most timely manner, considering how soon January 1, 2000, will arrive; now, therefore, be it

AJR43,2,21 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:

AJR43, s. 1 Section 1. Definition. In this joint resolution:

AJR43,3,9 (1) "Health care industry" means a health care facility, as defined in section 155.01 (6) of the statutes; a health care institution, as defined in section 111.18 (1) (a) of the statutes; an adult family home, as defined in section 50.01 (1) of the statutes; a residential care apartment complex, as defined in 50.01 (1d) of the statutes; a health care provider, as defined in section 146.81 (1), 155.01 (7) or 610.70 (1) (a) of the statutes; a health care professional, as defined in section 180.1901 (1m) of the statutes; an insurer, as defined in section 600.03 (27) of the statutes, that provides health care coverage; and any person who provides health care or health care coverage in this state.

AJR43, s. 2 Section 2. Responsibility of the joint committee on information policy.

AJR43,3,12 (1) In addition to its responsibilities under section 13.58 of the statutes, the joint committee on information policy may do all of the following:

AJR43,3,18 (a) Review information management and technology systems, plans, practices and policies of persons in this state, other than state and local units of government, including their responsiveness to the needs of persons for delivery of high-quality services on an efficient, effective and economical basis, their data security and integrity, and their protection of the personal privacy of individuals who are subjects of data bases of the persons.

AJR43,3,20 (b) Review the impact of proposed legislation on existing technology utilization by persons other than state and local units of government.

AJR43,3,23 (c) Make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, state agencies, local units of government or other persons regarding the policies, practices, proposals, legislation and reports reviewed.

AJR43,3,25 (2) In addition to its responsibilities under section 13.58 of the statutes and subsection (1), the joint committee on information policy shall do all of the following:

AJR43,4,2 (a) Investigate whether the year 2000 problem will lead to the failure of health care computers and medical devices in this state.

AJR43,4,5 (b) Investigate whether the failure of such computers and medical devices due to the year 2000 problem will cause significant damage to the health care industry in this state.

AJR43,4,9 (c) Investigate the year 2000 preparedness of the health care industry in this state to determine whether legislation is needed to address the year 2000 preparedness of the health care industry in this state and, if it is, prepare and introduce the legislation in this legislative session.

AJR43,4,12 (d) Submit to the 2001-2002 legislature, when it convenes, any of the committee's recommendations, including legislation, that have not been implemented or enacted by that time.

AJR43, s. 3 Section 3. Powers of the joint committee on information policy.

AJR43,4,17 (1) The joint committee on information policy may procure the attendance of witnesses before the committee and require the production of books, records, documents and papers as provided in section 13.31 of the statutes in regard to its responsibilities under Section 2 (2).

AJR43, s. 4 Section 4. Refusal to testify punishable as contempt.

AJR43,4,23 (1) A person who is subpoenaed under Section 3 to appear before the joint committee on information policy or to produce books, records, documents or papers as provided in section 13.31 of the statutes and who does not comply with the terms of the subpoena may be punished for contempt as specified in sections 13.26 and 13.27 of the statutes.

AJR43, s. 5 Section 5. Expiration of responsibilities and powers of the joint committee on information policy.

AJR43,5,2 (1) The responsibilities and powers of the joint committee on information policy under this joint resolution expire when the 2001-2002 legislature convenes.

AJR43,5,3 (End)