78R6813 DLF-D

By:  Naishtat                                                     H.B. No. 2326


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a health and human services commission study of the state response to abuse or neglect of certain older individuals. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) "Commission" means the health and human services commission. (2) "Health and human services agency" means any of the health and human services agencies described by Section 531.001, Government Code. SECTION 2. STUDY OF STATE RESPONSE TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF OLDER INDIVIDUALS. (a) The commission shall conduct a study of the roles of each health and human services agency charged to respond to abuse or neglect of older individuals in this state. (b) In conducting the study, the commission: (1) shall consult with each health and human services agency in this state that provides services to older individuals in this state or that monitors or regulates those services, including the long-term care ombudsman of the Texas Department of Aging; and (2) may consult with the elder law division of the office of the attorney general, other appropriate state agencies, appropriate advocacy and consumer groups, and consumers. SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2004, the commission shall report the results of the study conducted under this Act to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. The report must: (1) identify duplication of services provided by health and human services agencies to protect older individuals from abuse and neglect and include recommendations to eliminate any duplication identified; (2) address areas in which services provided by health and human services agencies to protect older individuals from abuse and neglect fail to meet identified needs or to serve identified populations and include recommendations to meet those needs and serve those populations; and (3) include recommendations to improve collaboration among health and human services agencies charged to respond to abuse or neglect of older individuals in this state. SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2005. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.