SRC-JEC, TJG S.B. 610 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 610 By: Nelson Health & Human Services 6/24/2003 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, many rural areas in Texas are facing health provider shortages while urban areas face increasing burdens on their emergency rooms. President Bush has included $114 million in his proposed budget to increase the number of community health centers. S.B. 610 authorizes the Texas Department of Health to provide certain types of grants to establish or expand existing facilities that can qualify as federally qualified health centers. 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 31, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 31.017, as follows: Sec. 31.017. FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS. (a) Authorizes the Texas Department of Health to make grants to establish new or expand existing facilities that can qualify as federally qualified health centers, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 1396d(1)(2)(B), in this state, including certain types of grants. (b) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2009. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.