SRC-VRA C.S.S.B. 990 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 990 By: Armbrister Health & Human Services 5/21/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current criteria for admissions to state schools for the mentally retarded limit the number of applicants offered admission. C.S.S.B. 990 changes the criteria for admissions to allow admission to certain persons for whom an application for voluntary admission is filed. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in SECTION 1 (Section 593.0225, Health and Safety Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 593B, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 593.0225, as follows: Sec. 593.0225. CRITERIA FOR VOLUNTARY ADMISSION; WAITING LIST. (a) Requires the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (board) by rule to provide that a state school shall admit any person with mental retardation for whom an application for voluntary admission is filed, if certain criteria are met. (b) Requires each state school to maintain a waiting list of persons who desire voluntary admission to a state school and who were denied admission because of lack of bed space. (c) Requires the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) to ensure that persons seeking state services for a person with mental retardation are informed of the criteria established in rules adopted under Subsection (a), of the waiting list required by Subsection (b), and of the addresses and telephone numbers of each state school. (d) Authorizes the board to adopt rules to facilitate the application process for voluntary admission to a state school, the maintenance of the waiting list required by Subsection (b), and the provision of information as required by Subsection (c). SECTION 2. Requires TDMHMR to ensure that persons on a waiting list maintained by a mental retardation authority for admission to a state school are informed of certain information. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2003. Makes application of this Act prospective.