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SENATE BILL 83 |
SENATE AUTHOR: Madla |
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EFFECTIVE: 8-27-01 |
HOUSE SPONSOR: Uresti et al. |
Senate Bill 83 amends the Health and Safety Code to transfer rulemaking authority related to intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded from the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Texas Board of Human Services and to require that DHS and the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) cooperate with the board in developing the rules. The bill also requires that a proposed rule related to a facility be submitted to the commissioner of mental health and mental retardation for a written review of the effects of the rule.
The bill requires specialized staff from DHS to conduct inspections, surveys, or investigations of the facilities. In addition, DHS and MHMR are required to make certain that the closure and transition plans for a facility ensure the short-term and long-term well-being of the facility's clients.