SRC-JFA S.B. 273 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 273
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
2-3-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, almost all the funds Texans spend on programs for seniors fall
under the category of "long-term care."  Seventy percent of the entire
Long-term Care Continuum appropriation is dedicated to payments to nursing
homes.  Many senior Texans make poor choices about the kind and amount of
"long-term care" they need.  A consumer guide regarding such "long-term
care" has been recommended by the Texas Performance Review Recommendation.
This bill would require the comptroller to develop and update such a
consumer guide for senior citizens.    

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 273 provides for development and updating of a senior
citizen consumer guide by the comptroller.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Board on Aging under SECTION
2 (Sections 101.031 and 101.032, Human Resources Code) of this bill.   

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 403A, Government Code, by adding Section
403.026, as follows: 

Sec. 403.026.  SENIOR CITIZEN CONSUMER GUIDE; INTERAGENCY WORK GROUP.
Requires the comptroller to develop and periodically update a statewide
consumer guide for senior citizens designed to assist senior citizens and
their families in making informed choices regarding senior services.  Sets
forth requirements for the guide.  Sets forth the composition and duties
of an interagency work group created to assist the comptroller in
developing and updating the guide.  Provides that the work group is not
subject to Article 6252-33, V.T.C.S., relating to state agency advisory
committees.  Authorizes the Health and Human Services Commission to shift
resources between health and human service agencies as necessary to
facilitate the development of the guide.  Requires the comptroller to make
the guide available in print, electronic format, and through the Internet.

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 101B, Human Resources Code, by adding Sections
101.031 and 101.032, as follows: 

Sec. 101.031.  SENIOR CITIZEN CONSUMER GUIDE SUPPORT.  Requires the Texas
Board on Aging (board) to require, by rule, an area agency on aging to
identify the allocation of agency resources dedicated to the senior
consumer guide.   

Sec. 101.032.  STANDARD FORMATS FOR SERVICE PROVIDER LISTINGS.  Requires
the board to adopt, by rule, standard formats to be used in listing
service providers in the senior consumer guide. 

SECTION 3. Requires the Texas Board on Aging to adopt the formats required
by Section 101.032, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, no later
than October 15, 1997.   

SECTION 4. Requires the comptroller to complete development and make
available the senior  citizen consumer guide required by Section 403.026,
Government Code, as added by this Act, no later than January 1, 1998.    

SECTION 5. Requires the interagency work group created under Section
403.026(b), Government Code, as added by this Act, to prepare and deliver
to the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with
primary jurisdiction over human services a report regarding the
effectiveness of the senior citizen consumer guide, required by Section
403.026, Government Code, as added by this Act, no later than January 15,
1999. 

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.