SRC-JRN C.S.S.B. 938 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 938 By: Ellis Health & Human Services 4-10-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST 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 As proposed, C.S.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 This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. 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. Requires 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 a provision requiring the department to require certain entities to contract with WIC during the evening hours or on Saturdays as provided by Subsection (b). 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, rather than the granting of waivers from the requirement of Subsection (a). 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. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Makes a change in the relating clause. SECTION 1. Amends Section 32.021, Health and Safety Code, to require certain agencies contracting with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, rather than the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children to provide clinical and nutritional services, rather than certain services. Requires certain agencies to provide clinical or nutritional services in annual plans submitted to the department. SECTION 3. Makes a change in the prospective clause.