BG S.B. 938 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC HEALTH S.B. 938 By: Ellis (Coleman) 5-14-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the Texas Department of Health contracts with local agencies, organizations, and other entities to provide services under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Legislation passed by the 73rd Legislature required organizations under contract with the department to provide WIC services for specific hours during evenings or on weekends. S.B. 938 requires an agency that contracts with WIC to provide services during extended hours as defined by the Texas Department of Health. PURPOSE S.B. 938 requires an agency that contracts with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children to provide services during extended hours as defined by the Texas Department of 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 32.021, Health and Safety Code, as follows: Sec. 32.021. REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM. Revises language to require certain entities contracting with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), to provide, each month, the clinical and nutritional services supported by that program during extended hours, as defined by the Texas Department of Health (department). Deletes language which pertained to evening hours or on Saturdays. Requires certain entities that contract with WIC to provide clinical or nutritional services to submit annual plans to the department that include certain information. Provides that certain entities contracting with WIC are not required to offer extended hours at each of its service sites. Deletes provisions affecting types of entities described in Subsection (a). Requires the department to adopt guidelines for extended hours and waivers as specified, rather than the granting of waivers. Deletes a provision relating to adoption guidelines in the administering of WIC. Requires an agency, organization, or other entity, rather than a clinic, to submit a written justification to the department. Prohibits the department from granting a waiver to an agency, organization, or other entity for a period of more than two years. Deletes a provision requiring the department to provide certain services. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Requires the department to adopt guidelines for extended hours and waivers, as required by Section 32.021, Health and Safety Code, by January 1, 1998. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 1998. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.