SRC-JBJ, JXG S.B. 95 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 95
76R3014 KKA-DBy: Moncrief
Health Services
2/22/1999
As Filed


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.  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 requires certain health and human services agencies to develop
together a strategic plan concerning 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 proposed, S.B. 95 requires certain health and human services agencies to
develop together a strategic plan concerning 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) and other health and human services agencies (agencies) to
obtain federal and state information to determine the number of eligible
people receiving home health services paid by Medicaid and Medicare, and
the percentage of the total benefits paid by Medicaid and Medicare. 

SECTION 2. CONSOLIDATED COMPLAINT INTAKE SYSTEM. Requires the commission,
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS), Texas Department
of Human Services (DHS), Texas Department of Health (TDH) and other
agencies to develop a strategic plan for the creation of a consolidated
intake system for complaints made to a health and human services 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,
DPRS, DHS, TDH, and other agencies to develop a strategic plan to create
and maintain a state registry containing the names of health care workers
who abused, neglected or exploited a resident of an assisted living
facility or a patient of a home and community support services agency.
Requires the plan to include due process for health care workers and public
access to the registry. Requires the commission to submit a report and
recommendations to the governor and the legislature. 

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 group
representatives of brain injury rehabilitation facilities and consumers of
the rehabilitation services.  Requires the group to elect a presiding
officer and any necessary officers. Requires the presiding officer to
schedule  meetings. Prohibits members of the group from receiving
compensation. Provides that the work group is not subject to Chapter 2110,
Government Code. Requires the group to complete the tasks in Subsection (a)
and submit a report to the governor and legislature no later than December
1, 2000. Provides that the group 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 to
review and develop recommendations for personal care attendants. Requires
DHS to submit a report to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2000.
  
SECTION 6. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
STUDY. Requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(DHCA), and other agencies to study linking affordable housing programs
with home and community support services. Requires DHCA to identify
available funding sources for services, buildings, and architectural
upgrades. Requires DHCA to submit a report to the governor and legislature
no later than December 1, 2000. 
   
SECTION 7. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.