AN ACT
 1-1     relating to permits to administer medication to residents of
 1-2     nursing and convalescent homes and certain related institutions.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 242.610, Health and Safety Code, is
 1-5     amended by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (g) to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (g), a [A] permit is
 1-8     valid for one year and is not transferable.
 1-9           (g)  The department may shorten the term of a permit to
1-10     provide for the staggered renewal of permits.  If a permit is
1-11     issued for a term that is less than one year, the fee assessed
1-12     under Section 242.611 must be prorated appropriately.
1-13           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-14     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-15     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-16     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-17     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-18     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-19     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1293 passed the Senate on
         March 25, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1293 passed the House on
         May 22, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present
         not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                     Date
         _______________________________
                   Governor