SRC-AMY S.B. 1237 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1237
By: Estes
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
3/31/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Veterans Land Board (VLB) owns four State Veterans Homes (TSVH)
licensed under Chapter 242 (Convalescent and Nursing Homes and Related
Institutions), Health & Safety Code. Section 242.096 (Nursing and
Convalescent Home Trust Fund and Emergency Assistance Funds), Health &
Safety Code, establishes an emergency assistance fund to be used to meet
the basic needs of residents should a licensed home go into receivership.
The Department of Human Services is authorized to  assess a fee against
all licensed convalescent or nursing homes if this fund drops below a
certain level.  Although TSVH has to pay into the fund, it would never
benefit from the fund.  Should a veterans home lose its license or close,
VLB would resume control of the home and appoint  a new operator. As
proposed, S.B. 1237 exempts veterans homes from Section 242.097
(Additional License Fee - Nursing and Convalescent Homes), Health & Safety
Code. 

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 242.097, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsection (d) to provide that the provisions of this section do not apply
to the veterans homes as defined by Section 164.002(7) (Definitions),
Natural Resources Code. 

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