SRC-AXB S.B. 346 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 346
76R3274  CMR-DBy: Harris
Human Services
3/29/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is required to
establish and enforce uniform regional boundaries for the delivery of
services for all HHSC agencies.  Dallas and Tarrant Counties, each with a
population exceeding one million, are within the same region.  This results
in an unequal distribution of services for the two counties' distinct
indigent populations.  This bill clarifies the composition of an HHSC
region and the HHSC's role in the administration of regions. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 346 authorizes the Health and Human Services Commission
to administer services through designated regions of Texas, and sets forth
provisions for the composition of the regions. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section
531.0246, as follows: 

Sec.  531.0246.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REGIONS.  Authorizes the Health
and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to administer health and human
services  through certain regions of Texas.  Prohibits a region from
consisting of multiple counties with a population of one million or more. 

SECTION 2.  (a)  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.
 
(b)  Requires the health and human services commissioner to conform
existing health and human services regions to the changes made in this Act,
on September 1, 1999. 

(c)  Provides that on January 1, 2000, the term of a Guardianship Advisory
Board (board) member whose region has conformed, expires.  Requires a board
vacancy resulting from Section 531.0246, to be filled as provided by
Section 531.122, Government Code. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause. 
  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.