The bill would amend Health and Safety Code Chapter 242 to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), or a representative of HHSC, to conduct one unannounced inspection annually. The bill would also allow HHSC, or a representative of HHSC, to conduct a follow-up inspection after conducting the unannounced annual inspection.
Not later than January 31st of each year, HHSC would be required to evaluate their capacity to regulate institutions under Chapter 242. Not later than January 1st of each year, HHSC would be required to evaluate their compliance with unannounced annual inspections under Chapter 242.
The bill would also require HHSC to conduct a survey on the number of facilities licensed under Health and Safety Code Chapters 242 and 247 that are equipped with an operational emergency generator or
comparable emergency power source that is capable of providing
continuous electric utility services to the facility during severe
weather events or other emergencies. Not later than September 1, 2022, HHSC would be required to submit the results of the survey to the members of the House Human Services Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, or the successor of those committees.
HHSC indicates any cost to implement provisions of the bill would be minimal and could be absorbed within available resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.