CREATION OF MODEL PROGRAM; DESIGNATION OF COORDINATOR.

(a) The department shall designate a statewide wellness coordinator to create and develop for use by state agencies a model statewide wellness program to improve the health and wellness of state employees. The wellness program may include:

(1) education that targets the most costly or prevalent health care claims, including information addressing stress management, nutrition, healthy eating habits, alcohol and drug abuse, physical activity, disease prevention, and smoking cessation;

(2) the dissemination or use of available health risk assessment tools and programs, including surveys that identify an employee's risk level for health-related problems and programs that suggest to employees methods for minimizing risks;

(3) the development of strategies for the promotion of health, nutritional, and fitness-related resources in state agencies;

(4) the development and promotion of environmental change strategies that integrate healthy behaviors and physical activity, including recommending healthy food choices in snack bars, vending machines, and state-run cafeterias located in state buildings; and

(5) optional incentives to encourage participation in the wellness program, including providing flexibility in employee scheduling to allow for physical activity and participation in the wellness program and coordinating discounts with gyms and fitness centers across the state.

(b) The statewide wellness coordinator shall:

(1) coordinate with other agencies that administer a health benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, as necessary to develop the model wellness program, prevent duplication of efforts, provide information and resources to employees, and encourage the use of wellness benefits included in the health benefits program;

(2) maintain a set of Internet links to health resources for use by state employees;

(3) design an outreach campaign to educate state employees about health and fitness-related resources, including available exercise facilities, online tools, and health and fitness-related organizations;

(4) study the implementation and participation rates of state agency worksite wellness programs and report the findings to the legislature biennially; and

(5) organize an annual conference hosted by the department for all state agency wellness councils.

(c) The statewide wellness coordinator may consult with a state agency operating health care programs on matters relating to wellness promotion.

(d) A state agency shall designate an employee to serve as the wellness liaison between the agency and the statewide wellness coordinator.

(e) A state agency may:

(1) develop a wellness program designed to increase work productivity and capacity and reduce health insurance costs; or

(2) implement a wellness program based on the model program or components of the model program developed under this section.

(f) The statewide wellness coordinator may assist a state agency in establishing employee wellness demonstration projects that incorporate best practices for encouraging employee participation and the achievement of wellness benefits. A wellness program demonstration project may implement strategies to optimize the return of state investment in employee wellness, including savings in direct health care costs and savings from preventing conditions and diagnoses through better employee wellness.