1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the evaluation of licensing for intermediate care
 1-3     facilities for the mentally retarded.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  The Texas Department of Human Services shall
 1-6     evaluate the department's approach to licensing intermediate care
 1-7     facilities for the mentally retarded.  In conducting its
 1-8     evaluation, the department shall consult with the Texas Department
 1-9     of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, facility providers and
1-10     staff, advocates for facility residents, and facility residents and
1-11     their families.  The evaluation must consider appropriate
1-12     distinctions between nursing facilities and intermediate care
1-13     facilities.
1-14           SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Human Services shall
1-15     present a report on its evaluation of the licensing of intermediate
1-16     care facilities for the mentally retarded to the governor,
1-17     lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
1-18     not later than October 1, 2000.  The report must include any
1-19     recommendations, based on the evaluation, for changes in law the
1-20     department considers necessary.
1-21           SECTION 3.  This Act expires January 17, 2001.
1-22           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-23     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-24     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-1     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-2     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-3     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-4     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1396 was passed by the House on March
         25, 1999, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
         Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1396 on May 17, 1999, by the
         following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1396 was passed by the Senate, with
         amendments, on May 13, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays
         0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor