78R10079 DLF-D
By: Jones of Dallas, Naishtat H.B. No. 867
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to air conditioning systems in certain facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "department" means the
Texas Department of Human Services.
SECTION 2. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS FOR NURSING HOMES. (a)
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the
department shall review the rules and minimum standards applicable
to an institution licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety
Code, and adopted under Section 242.037, Health and Safety Code.
The department shall ensure that the rules and minimum standards
require each affected institution to use a central air conditioning
system or a substantially similar air conditioning system that is
capable of maintaining a temperature within the areas of the
institution used by residents suitable for the comfort of the
residents.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2004, the department shall
amend the applicable rules and minimum standards as necessary to
comply with Subsection (a) of this section.
(c) An amendment to the applicable rules and minimum
standards made under Subsection (b) of this section applies to an
institution or a part of an institution for which construction is
begun after the effective date of the amendment, which may not be
later than January 1, 2004, including a facility converted to use as
an institution after that date.
SECTION 3. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED LIVING
FACILITIES. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of
this Act, the department shall review the minimum standards
applicable to an assisted living facility licensed under Chapter
247, Health and Safety Code, and adopted under Section 247.026,
Health and Safety Code. The department shall ensure that the rules
and minimum standards require each affected facility to use a
central air conditioning system or a substantially similar air
conditioning system that is capable of maintaining a temperature
within the areas of the facility used by residents suitable for the
comfort of the residents.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2004, the department shall
amend the applicable minimum standards as necessary to comply with
Subsection (a) of this section.
(c) An amendment to the applicable minimum standards made
under Subsection (b) of this section applies to an assisted living
facility or a part of a facility for which construction is begun
after the effective date of the amendment, which may not be later
than January 1, 2004, including a facility converted to use as an
assisted living facility after that date.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2003.