BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        S.B. 1162
                                                       By: Rosson
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                          4-20-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Current law does not allow the Texas Department of Mental Health
and Mental Retardation to conduct unannounced visits to facilities
under the department's jurisdiction.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1162 authorizes the Texas Department of Health,
the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and
the Texas Department of Human Services to make unannounced
inspections of facilities and programs under their respective
jurisdictions.

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 12B, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 12.017, as follows:

     Sec. 12.017.  UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS.  Authorizes the Texas
     Department of Health to make any inspection of a facility or
     program under the department's jurisdiction without announcing
     the inspection.
     
     SECTION 2.     Amends Chapter 533A, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 533.015, as follows:

     Sec. 533.015.  UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS.  Authorizes the Texas
     Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to make any
     inspection of a facility or program under the department's
     jurisdiction without announcing the inspection.     
SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 22, Human Resources Code, by adding
Section 22.025, as follows:

     Sec. 22.025.  UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS.  Authorizes the Texas
     Department of Human Services to make any inspection of a
     facility or program under the department's jurisdiction
     without announcing the inspection.
     
     SECTION 4.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.