Sunset Advisory Commission Invites Public Input
on the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas
The Sunset Advisory Commission is reviewing the mission and performance of the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas (SAB) and welcomes public comments on whether the agency is still needed and ideas to improve its operations and services. The Texas Sunset Act requires the Sunset Commission to periodically review SAB and recommend whether to continue the agency and change state law to improve the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness. The Legislature ultimately will decide whether to continue SAB and adopt Sunset’s other statutory recommendations. The Sunset Commission also may adopt management directives for SAB that do not require statutory change.
The Sunset process has three stages. First, Sunset staff will evaluate SAB, seek public input, and issue a report recommending solutions to problems found. Second, the Sunset Commission will hold two public meetings: a hearing on the staff report and the agency, and a decision meeting to adopt recommendations to the Legislature based on the report and public comments. Third, the Legislature will convene in January 2021 and will consider Sunset’s statutory recommendations in a Sunset bill for SAB.
Here are several ways to provide comments and suggestions to Sunset staff on SAB’s mission, operations, and services:
- Send an email to sunset@sunset.texas.gov
- Submit comments online at www.sunset.texas.gov
- Send a letter to Sunset Advisory Commission, Attn: SAB, P.O. Box 13066, Austin, Texas 78711
- Call (512) 463-1300 to speak to Darren McDivitt, project manager of the SAB review
Please provide your comments by June 30, 2020 to ensure Sunset staff can fully consider your input while conducting their review. Comments submitted before the staff report is published in August 2020 will remain confidential.
Stay informed! Visit www.sunset.texas.gov to sign up for email alerts on the Sunset staff report and the Sunset Commission’s public meetings on SAB.
The mission of the Anatomical Board is to facilitate the distribution of deceased human remains for the purpose of teaching and research. In doing so, the Board protects the interests of donors and their families by requiring that only authorized educational and medical institutions receive human remains, and that the remains are treated with dignity and respect. The specific objectives of the Anatomical Board are to:
- Implement the provisions and regulations set forth in the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapt. 691-692A, and the stipulations of the Texas Administrative Codes pertaining to the acquisition, use, and final disposition of anatomical materials.
- Inspect anatomical facilities for compliance with standards established by the Board.
- Record the receipt and transfer of donations by Willed Body Programs.
- Distribute surplus cadavers among member institutions based on scientific and educational needs.
- Approve the transportation of cadavers and/or body parts within and outside of the State of Texas.
- Address complaints received from the public sector and member institutions regarding the use of cadavers or body parts and resolve such issues based on the rules and regulations adopted by the board and in accordance with state law.
