SRC-AMY S.B. 957 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 957
78R6288 YDB-FBy: Van de Putte
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
3/28/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas State Veterans Homes Program (TSVH) is contracting
with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) to provide
pharmaceuticals to state veterans homes, to take advantage of cost
savings.  However, Texas law does not allow the USDVA to provide or stock
the emergency medication kits for the homes; TSVH must use outside
pharmacies for these services, which increases the TSVH's overall
pharmaceutical costs.  As proposed, S.B. 957 authorizes a veterans home to
contract with a USDVA pharmacy, or another federally operated pharmacy, to
maintain a veterans home's emergency medical kit. 

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 Section 562.108, Occupations Code, by adding Subsection
(c), as follows: 

(c) Authorizes a veterans home, as defined by Section 164.002
(Definitions), Natural Resources Code, licensed under Chapter 242
(Convalescent and Nursing Homes and Related Institutions), Health and
Safety Code, to contract with a United States Department of Veterans
Affairs pharmacy, or another federally operated pharmacy, to maintain
controlled substances and dangerous drugs in an emergency medical kit used
at the home.  Authorizes the use of the controlled substances and
dangerous drugs only for the emergency medication needs of a resident of
the home. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.