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.