BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3171 By: Luna 04-11-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Section 464 of the Health and Safety Code requires programs conducting chemical dependency treatment to be licensed. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other 12-step programs do not provide treatment but offer self-help and support services to participants, and these programs have not had licensure requirements imposed on them because of broad interpretation of the statutes. An exemption from the licensure requirements would ensure that the principles of the 12-step programs are kept intact, and that the success of the programs is not jeopardized. PURPOSE H.B. 3171 would add chemical dependency programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other 12-step programs providing support for chemical dependency to the exemption from licensure requirements. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Adds Sec. 464.003(7), Health and Safety Code, to state that this subchapter does not apply to a 12-step or similar self-help chemical dependency recovery program (A) that does not offer or purport to offer a chemical dependency program, (B) that does not charge program participants, and (C) in which program participants may maintain anonymity. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 3171 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public hearing on April 11, 1995. The following persons testified in favor of the bill: Representative Luna, author of the bill. William H. Locke, Jr., representing self and Palmer Drug Abuse Program. The bill was reported favorably, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 3 Absent.