BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 669

79R11325 JTS-D                                                                                        By: Jones, Jesse (Carona)

                                                                                                                  Health & Human Services

                                                                                                                                            5/14/2005

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Assisted living facilities that provide services to fewer than four people are not required to be licensed by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) nor are they subject to enforcement regulations that other assisted living facilities are.

 

H.B. 669 requires the commissioner of DADS to study the feasibility of requiring these facilities to register with DADS.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

[While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS), the following amendment s affect the Department of Aging and Disability, as successor agency to DHS.]

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 247, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 247.032, as follows:

 

Sec. 247.032.  FEASIBILITY OF REGISTERING SMALL FACILITIES.  (a)  Requires the commissioner of aging and disability services (commissioner) to appoint a work group to study the feasibility of requiring facilities that furnish food, shelter, and personal care services to three or fewer  people who are unrelated to the proprietor of the facility to register with the Texas Department of Health and the best method to identify those facilities.  Requires the work group to include certain members.

 

(b)  Provides that a member of the work group serving under Subsection (a)(1) or (2) is not entitled to additional compensation for serving on the work group.  Provides that another member of the work group is not entitled to compensation for serving on the work group.

 

(c)  Requires the work group, not later than January 1, 2007, to submit its findings to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing committees of each house with jurisdiction over assisted living facilities.

 

(d)  Provides that this section expires January 1, 2007.

 

SECTION 2.  Requires the commissioner, not later than January 1, 2006, to appoint the members of the work group as required by Section 247.032, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.