SRC-TBR H.B. 3556 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3556
By: Maxey (Barrientos)
Health & Human Services
4/26/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) issues different
classes of licenses to facilities that administer mental health programs.
One class of license applies to programs offering minimal assisted living
services and can only be obtained by programs offering services in
buildings that do not have more than one story.  H.B. 3556 provides that
the minimum standards for an assisted living facility must provide for a
two-story building. 


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.  Amends Section 247.030(b), Health and Safety Code,  to require
the modified standards to be specifically defined by the Texas Board of
Human Services (board) and to provide for two-story buildings.  Requires
the two story buildings to meet all life safety code requirements in
regards to protecting vertical openings, as specified in the 1988 edition
of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Section 21-2.3.1. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.