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.