SRC-VRA H.B. 3200 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3200 By: Hegar (Armbrister) Health & Human Services 5/21/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Board of Human Services board) has the authority to prescribe different levels of minimum standards for assisted living facilities according to the number of residents, the type of residents, the level of personal care provided, the nutritional needs of residents, and other distinctions the board considers relevant. However, as the great majority of residents of assisted living facilities are elderly, the board's standards are geared toward the needs of a geriatric population. In some respects, these standards are inappropriate for assisted living facilities serving specialized, non-elderly populations, such as the developmentally disabled. Because assisted living facilities serving non-elderly populations are so few in number, it may not be feasible for the board to issue standards tailored for the various types of specialized populations. H.B. 3200 permits the board to approve alternate methods of compliance with licensure standards proposed by assisted living facilities serving non-elderly populations. Similar authority is given to the Texas Department of Health in the hospital licensing law to grant waivers or modifications of hospital licensing standards in appropriate circumstances. 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 247.026(d), Health and Safety Code, to require the Texas Board of Human Services (board), if the board does not prescribe minimum standards for facilities serving nongeriatric residents, to develop procedures for consideration and approval of alternate methods of compliance by such facilities with the board's standards. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.