SRC-AMY S.B. 309 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 309
78R3736 KLA-DBy: Gallegos
International Relations and Trade
4/5/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
Act (PRWORA) prohibits local governments from providing discounted
preventive health care services to individuals without lawful residency
status unless the state legislature affirmatively enacts legislation
explicitly allowing local governments to do so.  It is unclear whether the
Texas legislature has passed such legislation.  As proposed, S.B. 309
authorizes certain entities to use state or local money to provide health
care services and assistance to a person regardless of the person's
immigration status. 

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 Chapter 64, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
64.002, as follows: 

Sec. 64.002. HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS. Authorizes
certain entities to use state or local money to provide health care
services and assistance to a person regardless of the person's immigration
status. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 285, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subchapter M, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER M. PROVISION OF SERVICES TO CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS

Sec. 285.201. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS.
Authorizes a hospital district to use state or local money to provide
hospital care to a person regardless of the person's immigration status.  

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.