SRC-JEC S.B. 514 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 514 77R3402 YDB-DBy: Truan Health & Human Services 3/26/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas is experiencing a shortage of many health care professionals, including pharmacists, advanced practice nurses, and registered nurses. As proposed, S.B. 514 expands grant programs formerly limited to physicians to include other health care professionals, to help alleviate shortages in medically underserved communities. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive committee of the Center for Rural Health Initiatives in SECTION 4 (Section 106.104, Health and Safety Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 106.101, Health and Safety Code, to define "health care professional." SECTION 2. Amends Sections 106.102(a), (b), (c), and (d), Health and Safety Code, to require the executive committee of the Center for Rural Health Initiatives (executive committee) to establish and administer a program under this subchapter to increase the number of health care professionals providing or assisting in the provision of primary care in medically underserved communities. Prohibits the executive committee from paying more than $25,000 for eligible physicians and $25,000 for eligible health care professionals to a community in a fiscal year unless the executive committee makes a specific finding of need by the community. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 106.103, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 106.104, Health and Safety Code, to require the executive committee to adopt rules necessary for the administration of this subchapter, including eligibility criteria for health care professionals and conditions under which state money is required to be paid by a community, physician, or health care professional. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 5. Amends Section 106.151, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 6. Amends Section 106.152, Health and Safety Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 7. Amends Section 106.154, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 8. Amends Section 106.155, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 9. Effective date: September 1, 2001.