BILL ANALYSIS C.S.S.B. 612 By: Luna Health and Human Services 4-13-95 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND The Edgewood community of San Antonio has a rapidly aging population of approximately 40,000 residents over age 65. The residents of the community support construction of a nursing home in order to keep elderly relatives closer to home instead of in existing homes which are hard to reach by public transportation. In addition, the nursing home would stimulate economic development by providing new jobs and serving as a tax source for the local school district. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 612 authorizes the Texas Department of Human Services to waive specific restrictions relating to nursing home beds in order to serve an underserved minority community. 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 Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 32.0245, as follows: Sec. 32.0245. NURSING HOME BEDS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. Authorizes the Texas Department of Human Services (department) to waive a restriction imposed by state law on the authority to contract under the state Medicaid program for nursing home beds based on the percentage of beds occupied in a geographical area, if the department finds that waiving the restriction would serve an underserved community. SECTION 2. Requires the department, if it determines that a waiver or authorization is necessary for implementation, to request the waiver or authorization, and authorizes the department to delay implementing Section 32.0245 until the waiver is granted. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.