SRC-TJG H.B. 776 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 776
78R8759 JRD-FBy: Naishtat, et al. (Nelson)
Administration
5/8/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, staff at nursing home facilities are not required to receive
training relating to the care of people who suffer from dementia.  H.B.
776 revises current Texas law to require certain individuals who provide
nursing services in a nursing institution to receive annual training in
caring for people with dementia. 

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 242.037, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsection (i) to require the minimum standards adopted by the Texas Board
of Human Services (board) under this section to require that each
institution, as part of an existing training program, provide each
registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, nurse aide, and nursing
assistant who provides nursing services in the institution at least one
hour of training each year in caring for people with dementia. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that it is the intent of the legislature that Section
242.037(i), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and rules
adopted under that subsection, not impose any training requirement that
will cause an institution regulated under Chapter 242, Health and Safety
Code, to incur additional costs. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.
           Requires the board to adopt the minimum standard required by
Section 242.037(i),            Health and Safety Code, as added by this
Act, in time for the standard to take                     effect on
January 1, 2004.