SRC-CDH S.B. 1403 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1403
By: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
4-14-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

As of 1994, there were over 51,000 legally blind Texans over the age of
40, and each year more than 4,000 Texans become legally blind.  Almost
half these cases could be prevented with proper intervention.  Many
conditions which could be controlled with medication or surgery go
untreated because of lack of insurance or other means to pay for the
treatment.  The Texas Commission for the Blind can only serve these
individuals after they become blind.  According to the U.S. Department of
Labor, approximately 70 percent of legally blind people are either
underemployed or unemployed, with the vast majority dependent upon public
assistance.  This legislation establishes a blindness education,
screening, and treatment program in order to prevent many Texans from
losing their sight and their ability to remain independent.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1403 establishes and funds a blindness education,
screening, and treatment program.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Commission for the Blind in
SECTION 1 (Section 91.027(e), Human Resources Code) of this bill.   

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 91.027, Human Resources Code, as follows:

Sec. 91.027.  New heading:  BLINDNESS EDUCATION, SCREENING, AND TREATMENT
PROGRAM.  Requires the Texas Commission for the Blind (commission) to
develop a Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment Program  to
provide blindness prevention education, screening, and treatment to
prevent blindness for residents who are not covered under an adequate
health benefit plan.  Requires the program, screening procedures, and
treatment procedures to include certain services.  Requires the
commission, by rule, to prescribe eligibility requirements for the
program.  Sets forth the terms by which the blindness, education,
screening, and treatment account is an account in the state treasury.
Requires the commission to implement the Blindness Education, Screening,
and Treatment Program not later than January 1, 1998.  Provides that this
subsection expires February 1, 1998.  Deletes the provision requiring the
commission to take measures it considers advisable to prevent blindness
and conserve eyesight. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.421, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (f), to require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to
collect an additional fee of $1 for the issuance or renewal of a license
to fund the program.  Requires DPS to forward money collected to the
comptroller for deposit to the blindness, screening, and treatment
account. 

SECTION 3. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.