SRC-AXB S.B. 983 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 983 76R6758 MCK-FBy: Madla Human Services 3/15/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Health defines a branch office for home health agencies' license requirements as being within 70 miles of a main office. However, there are many remote areas of Texas which cannot be reached within 70 miles of anything. Ten years ago, the Health Care Financing Administration first instructed its surveyors that driving time and distance should not be used as a criteria in evaluating a branch office. S.B. 983 increases the authorized distance for a branch office license to 150 miles. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 983 redefines "branch office" and authorizes the issuance of a branch office license to a person who provides services within 150 miles of the license holder's place of business. 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 Section 142.001(5), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "branch office." SECTION 2. Amends Section 142.008(a), Health and Safety Code, to authorize the issuance of a branch office licence to one who provides home health or personal assistance service within 150 miles of that person's business. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.