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.