SRC-CTC H.B. 966 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 966
77R1619 JRD-DBy: Naishtat (Zaffirini)
Health & Human Services
4/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1999, the United States Supreme Court ruled, in L.C. and E.W. v.
Olmstead, that states are required to provide community-based services for
disabled individuals if treatment professionals determine that it is
appropriate and the individual does not object to placement in the
community. One of the barriers in achieving the transition from
institutional care to community-based services is that the funds budgeted
to serve a disabled individual do not follow the individual into the
community. As proposed, H.B. 966 requires the Health and Human Services
Commission to study possible ways to allow funds to more freely follow an
individual from institutional care to community-based services.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Defines "health and human services agencies."

SECTION 2.  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission)
to study the ways in which health and human services agencies may take
certain actions. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the commission to consider ways in which the money may
be redirected under existing law, whether the money could be redirected in
advisable ways if changes were made in the General Appropriations Act, and
advisable ways in which the money could be redirected that would require
changes in general law. 

SECTION 4.  Requires each health and human services agency, at the
commission's request, to provide information to the commission and assist
the commission in performing the study. 

SECTION 5.  Requires the commission, not later than November 1, 2002, to
report its conclusions and recommendations to certain state officers and
entities. 

SECTION 6.  Provides that this Act expires June 1, 2003.

SECTION 7.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.