S.B. 567 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 567
By: West
Public Health
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

This bill expands the ability of certain hospitals to make criminal
history background checks during the employment screening process for the
purpose of hospital patient safety.  Under current law, public hospitals
are granted access to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal
information database in order to perform background checks on potential
employees.  Private nonprofit hospitals have been denied this access and
this bill would authorize these hospitals to be included to receive DPS
access. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

The Act amends the Government Code to give nonprofit hospitals access to
the DPS criminal database in order to conduct background checks on
employees.  "Nonprofit hospital" is defined and added to the type of
hospital entitled to this access.  This bill makes the conforming changes
to include nonprofit hospitals where responsibilities and regulations of
this access are discussed. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.