SRC-SLL H.B. 2984 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2984
By: Hunter (Zaffirini)
Health & Human Services
5-15-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Chronically ill children constitute one of the highest cost groups for
numerous state programs, including public assistance and education.  The
number of children in need of continuous long-term medical care is
expected to increase as is the cost of care and special educational
requirements. Before the state adopts a long-term health and education
program for such children, it needs reliable information.  A limited term
pilot program under oversight of the Texas Board of Health could provide
the legislature the information needed for this long-term plan.  This bill
will provide regulations regarding the establishment of a pilot program
regarding the care, rehabilitation, and education of medically fragile
children and their families. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2984 provides regulations regarding the establishment of
a pilot program regarding the care, rehabilitation, and education of
medically fragile children and their families. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 35, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sections
35.014-35.019, as follows: 

Sec.  35.014.  CARE OF MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN; POLICY.  Sets forth
legislative findings regarding the care of medically fragile children and
sets forth the policy of this state. 

Sec.  35.015.  PILOT PROGRAM.  Requires the Texas Board of Health (board)
to establish a pilot program to study and research the unique health care,
maintenance, education, social, and related needs of medically fragile
children and their families in this state.  Requires the board to select a
nonprofit private entity to operate the pilot program.  Authorizes the
board to provide the entity that operates the pilot program a grant in an
amount not to exceed $400,000 during each fiscal year to cover the costs
of operating the program. 

Sec.  35.016.  PROGRAM CRITERIA.  Requires the board to require the pilot
program study to include certain criteria. 

Sec.  35.017.  SELECTION.  Requires the board, in selecting the entity to
operate the pilot program, to consider the extent to which an entity meets
certain requirements. 

Sec.  35.018.  TERM; REPORT AND REVIEW.  Provides that the selection of an
entity to operate the pilot program is effective until the fifth
anniversary of the selection date.  Sets forth regulations regarding
filing of a report.  Requires the Sunset Advisory Commission to review the
report submitted by the board and include any appropriate recommendations
regarding the pilot program in its report to the 77th Legislature. 

Sec.  35.019.  RULES.  Authorizes the board to adopt rules to implement
this section and to  obtain the necessary reports and records to fulfill
its monitoring and reporting requirement to the Sunset Advisory Commission
and the legislature. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 35.002, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subdivision (9) and renumbering the subsequent subdivisions, to define
"medically fragile child." 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.  Requires the board to
select an entity to run the pilot program to assist medically fragile
children and their families as required under Section 35.017, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.