SRC-JFA C.S.S.B. 273 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 273
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
2-24-97
Committee Report (Substituted)
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, with the assistance
from an interagency work group, such a consumer guide. This bill would
provide that the consumer guide contain comprehensive information on
services available to senior citizens, including long-term care services,
housing assistance, meals, personal care, and transportation.
PURPOSE
As proposed, C.S.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 in SECTION 2
(Section 101.031, 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 annually 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 of an
interagency work group created to assist the comptroller in developing and
updating the guide. Authorizes the comptroller to request that other
state agencies or universities designate representatives to serve on the
work group if the agency or university requested to participate has an
employee with specialized expertise or knowledge of a subject matter to be
included in the guide. Provides that a member of the work group serves at
the will of the appointing entity. Requires the comptroller to appoint a
member of the work group to serve as presiding officer. Requires the
member of the group to elect any other necessary officers. Requires the
work group to meet at the call of the presiding officer. Provides that the
appointing entity is responsible for the expenses of a member's service on
the work group. Provides that a member of the work group received no
additional compensation for serving on the work group. Provides that the
work group is not subject to Article 6252-33, V.T.C.S., relating to state
agency advisory committees. Requires the entities specified in this
section to take all action necessary to assist the comptroller in
developing and updating the guide. Authorizes the work group to modify
the contents of the guide if the modifications do not detract from the
goal of increasing consumer access to senior services. Requires the
comptroller to make the guide available to the public through the Internet
and each area agency on aging, and, on request, to another state agency in
electronic format.
SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 101B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
101.031, as follows:
Sec. 101.031. SENIOR CITIZEN CONSUMER GUIDE; SUPPORT AND DISTRIBUTION.
Requires the Texas Board on Aging (board), by rule, to require an area
agency on aging to submit annually to the comptroller current information
on local service providers and resources for senior citizens for inclusion
in the senior citizen consumer guide. Requires each agency to provide the
information in a format prescribed by the comptroller. Requires an area
agency on aging to make the guide available to as many senior citizens in
the agency's service area as possible.
SECTION 3. Requires each area agency on aging to submit to the comptroller
information on local resources for senior citizens in the agency's area
for inclusion in the initial senior citizen consumer guide created under
Section 403.026, Government Code, as added by this Act, no later than
January 10, 1998.
SECTION 4. Requires the comptroller to complete development of and make
available the senior citizen consumer guide required by Section 403.026,
Government Code, as added by this Act, no later than February 14, 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.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES
Amends SECTION 1, Section 403.026, Government Code, to require the
comptroller to annually, instead of periodically, update the statewide
consumer guide specified in this Act. Revises proposed contents of the
consumer guide. Revises the proposed composition of the work group.
Deletes provision authorizing the Health and Human Services Commission to
shift resources between health and human services agencies as necessary to
facilitate the development of the guide. Authorizes the work group to
modify the guide. Revises proposed provisions for the release of the
guide to the public by the comptroller.
Amends SECTION 2, Section 101.031, Human Resources Code, to provide a new
heading. Revises the proposed provisions of Section 101.031, Human
Resources Code. Deletes proposed Section 101.032, Human Resources Code,
and the proposed rulemaking authority granted to the Texas Board on Aging.
Amends SECTION 3, by deleting session law relating to Section 101.032,
Human Resources Code. Sets forth session law in regard to area agencies on
aging submitting information to the comptroller.
Amends SECTION 4, by replacing the deadline of January 1, 1998 by which
the comptroller shall complete the consumer guide, to a deadline of
February 14, 1998.