BG S.B. 751 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC HEALTH S.B. 751 By: Moncrief (Burnam) 4-17-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The psychiatric hospital reforms passed into law during the 73rd Legislature included a provision aimed at providers which were transporting fraudulently referred clients to their facilities. The legislation was not intended to include non-psychiatric hospitals which provide free transportation as a community service. Currently, the language of this provision could be construed to prohibit benign activity such as bringing in low-income elderly individuals for free blood pressure screening. PURPOSE SB 751 clarifies Section 161.091, Health and Safety Code, so that it is not construed to prohibit the provision of transportation to adult patients under specified conditions outside the area of mental health. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.091, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsections (g) and (h) as follows: Subsection (g) requires that this section not be construed to prohibit transportation for health care services to adult patients as long as the service is valued at no more than $20, and does not involve transportation to a mental health facility. Subsection (h) defines "health care services" for the purpose of subsection (g) as specified. SECTION 2. Establishes that the effective date of this Act is September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.