1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to a pilot program for the treatment of Alzheimer's

 1-3     patients.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,

 1-6     is amended by adding Section 32.0246 to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 32.0246.  PILOT PROGRAM FOR TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S

 1-8     PATIENTS.  (a)  The Texas Department of Human Services, in

 1-9     cooperation with all appropriate state and federal agencies and

1-10     with the advisory committee established in Subsection (b), shall

1-11     develop and implement a pilot program for the treatment of

1-12     individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  The pilot program

1-13     shall:

1-14                 (1)  be operated in one rural county and one urban

1-15     county contiguous to the rural county;

1-16                 (2)  provide a continuum of care and comprehensive case

1-17     management, address gaps in services, and address the special needs

1-18     of Alzheimer's patients; and

1-19                 (3)  develop and implement counseling, education, and

1-20     support services for the caregivers and family members of

1-21     Alzheimer's patients.

1-22           (b)  The Texas Department of Human Services shall appoint an

1-23     advisory committee to assist the department in developing and

1-24     implementing the pilot program.  The advisory committee shall be

 2-1     composed of:

 2-2                 (1)  four representatives from groups that advocate for

 2-3     Alzheimer's patients;

 2-4                 (2)  one representative from an institution of higher

 2-5     education;

 2-6                 (3)  one clinician;

 2-7                 (4)  one representative from the Texas Department on

 2-8     Aging;

 2-9                 (5)  one representative from the Texas Department of

2-10     Human Services; and

2-11                 (6)  one representative from the Texas Department of

2-12     Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

2-13           (c)  The pilot program may not make eligible for medical

2-14     assistance any individual not otherwise eligible for medical

2-15     assistance.

2-16           (d)  The Texas Department of Human Services may seek and

2-17     accept a gift, grant, or donation from any person for purposes of

2-18     developing and implementing the pilot program provided that the

2-19     person does not have a contested case pending before any agency

2-20     participating in the pilot program.

2-21           (e)  Not later than January 15, 1999, the Texas Department of

2-22     Human Services shall submit to the legislature a report concerning

2-23     the effectiveness of the pilot program.

2-24           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the

2-25     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

2-26     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

2-27     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 3-1     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 2509 was passed by the House on April

         18, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 2509 was passed by the Senate on May

         15, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor