By Maxey                                              H.B. No. 1396
         76R3505 SMJ-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the development of a licensing model for intermediate
 1-3     care 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 Health shall develop a
 1-6     model for licensing intermediate care facilities for the mentally
 1-7     retarded.  The department shall consult facility providers and
 1-8     staff and families of facility residents in developing the model.
 1-9     The model developed must be distinct from models for  nursing home
1-10     licensure.
1-11           SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Health shall present a
1-12     report on the model for licensing intermediate care facilities for
1-13     the mentally retarded to the governor, lieutenant governor, and
1-14     speaker of the house of representatives not later than January 16,
1-15     2001.  The report must include an explanation of:
1-16                 (1)  the costs and benefits of the model; and
1-17                 (2)  changes in law needed to implement the model.
1-18           SECTION 3.  This Act expires January 17, 2001.
1-19           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-20     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-21     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-22     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-23     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-24     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-1     passage, and it is so enacted.