BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 3171
                                               By: Luna (Sponsor)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                          5-11-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Section 464, Health and Safety Code, requires programs conducting
chemical dependency treatment to be licensed.  Certain 12-step
programs that do not provide treatment but offer self-help and
support services 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.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3171 exempts certain 12-step self-help chemical
dependency recovery programs from licensure requirements.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 464.003, Health and Safety Code, to
exempt from the licensure requirements a 12-step or similar self-help chemical dependency recovery program that does not offer or
purport to offer a chemical dependency treatment program, that does
not charge program participants, and in which program participants
may maintain anonymity.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.