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.