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.