SRC-JXG S.B. 95 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 95 By: Moncrief Health Services 6/28/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, people are living longer, and an inevitable increase of the state's elderly population emphasizes the importance for the state to plan for delivery of long term care services. Although the state does not have a strategic plan addressing state policy for the delivery of long-term care, the population of persons age 65 years and older will increase an estimated 155 percent between 1990 and 2025, straining the state's health resources. Work groups created by state health and human service agencies to address long-term care, community services, and health services could develop a strategic plan for the state. S.B. 95 will require appropriate health and human services agencies to develop a strategic plan regarding the delivery of long-term care and health services for the elderly and disabled population, and to submit a report to the 77th Legislature. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 95 requires any appropriate health and human services agency to develop a strategic plan regarding the delivery of long-term care and health services for the elderly and disabled population. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. DETERMINATION OF HOME HEALTH SERVICES DUAL COVERAGE. Defines "home health services." Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission), with assistance from all appropriate health and human services agencies (agency), as defined by Section 531.001, Government Code, to the extent possible, obtain all federal and state information necessary to determine certain factors. SECTION 2. CONSOLIDATED COMPLAINT INTAKE SYSTEM. Requires the commission, with assistance from the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS), the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS), the Texas Department of Health (TDH), and any other appropriate health and human services agency, as defined by Section 531.001, Government Code, and with the participation of consumers of relevant services, to develop a strategic plan for the creation of a consolidated intake system for complaints made to an agency involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a person. Sets forth requirements for the strategic plan. Requires the commission to submit a report and recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2000. SECTION 3. STATE REGISTRY OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS. Requires the commission, with assistance from DPRS, DHS, TDH, and any other appropriate agency, as defined by Section 531.001, Government Code, and with the participation of consumers of relevant services, to develop a strategic plan for the creation and maintenance of a state registry to contain the names of health care workers determined to have abused, neglected, or exploited a resident of an assisted living facility or an individual receiving services through a home and community support services agency. Sets forth the strategic plan recommendation requirements. Requires the commission to submit to the governor and the legislature a report concerning the strategic plan required by this section, including any recommendations for legislative action, no later than December 1, 2000. SECTION 4. WORK GROUP ON REGULATION OF BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS. Requires the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) to form a work group to study the national accreditation standards of facilities that provide brain injury rehabilitation services and make recommendations concerning state certification. Requires TRC to include in the work group representatives of developers and providers of brain injury rehabilitation facilities and consumers of brain injury rehabilitation services. Requires the work group to consult with the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board, in performing the tasks specified in Subsection (a) of this section. Requires the members of the work group to elect a presiding officer and any other necessary officers for the work group. Requires the work group to meet at the call of the presiding officer. Provides that a member of the work group receives no compensation for serving on the work group. Provides that the work group is not subject to Chapter 2110, Government Code. Requires the work group to complete certain tasks, no later than December 1, 2000. Provides that the work group dissolves and this section expires September 1, 2001. SECTION 5. PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT TRAINING. Requires DHS, Texas Workforce Commission, TRC, Texas Commission for the Blind, Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Texas Higher Education Coordination Board, and providers and consumers of personal attendant services to review training programs for personal care attendants and develop recommendations for improvements in those programs. Requires DHS to submit to the governor and the legislature a report concerning DHS findings and recommendations, including the probable cost of increased training wages to the Medicaid program, no later than December 1, 2000. SECTION 6. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES STUDY. Requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA), with assistance from each appropriate health and human services agency, as defined by Section 531.001, Government Code, and with the participation of consumers of relevant services, to study opportunities for providing home and community support services to residents of affordable housing developments and participants in other affordable housing programs. Requires DHCA to identify available funding sources for services, buildings, and architectural upgrades as part of the study. Requires DHCA to submit to the governor and the legislature a report concerning DHCA's findings and recommendations, no later than December 1, 2000. SECTION 7. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.