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.