Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 1292 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the Texas Department of Human Services to deny, suspend, or revoke a convalescent or nursing home facility's license, after providing notice and opportunity for a hearing, if the department finds that the applicant or license holder has failed to notify the department of a significant change in its financial position, cash flow, or results of operation that could adversely affect the institution's delivery of essential services. Such information obtained by the department is confidential and not subject to open records requirements. The act authorizes the department to verify the financial condition of an institution in order to identify any risk to the institution's ability to deliver essential services and establishes that a person who knowingly files false information may be prosecuted under the Penal Code.

            Senate Bill 1292 takes effect September 1, 1999, with the exception of institution financial condition notification requirements, which take effect January 1, 2000.