78R6813 DLF-D

By:  West                                                         S.B. No. 1075



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.