SRC-AMY C.S.S.B. 309 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 309 By: Gallegos et al. International Relations and Trade 4-11-2003 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. C.S.S.B. 309 authorizes certain entities to use local money to provide health care services and assistance to a person regardless of the person's immigration status and requires the establishment of a cost share system for persons receiving health care services. 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, as authorized by 8 U.S.C. Sections 1621 (a) and (d), as amended, to use money from local sources to provide health care services to a person regardless of the person's immigration status, and requires those entities to establish a cost share system for persons receiving health care services. 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, as authorized by 8 U.S.C. Sections 1621 (a) and (d), as amended, to use money from local sources to provide hospital care to a person regardless of the person's immigration status, and requires those entities to establish a cost share system for persons receiving health care services. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.