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.