79R11325 JTS-D


By:  Jones of Dallas                                              H.B. No. 669



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study of the feasibility of requiring registration of 
certain assisted living facilities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 247, Health and Safety 
Code, is amended by adding Section 247.032 to read as follows:
	Sec. 247.032.  FEASIBILITY OF REGISTERING SMALL FACILITIES.  
(a)  The commissioner of aging and disability services shall 
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 department and the best method to 
identify those facilities.  The work group must include:
		(1)  representatives of the department;                                
		(2)  a representative from the Department of Family and 
Protective Services;
		(3)  a representative of a licensed assisted living 
facility;        
		(4)  a resident of an assisted living facility;                        
		(5)  an advocate for persons with disabilities;                        
		(6)  an advocate for the elderly;                                      
		(7)  representatives of provider associations 
representing assisted living facilities; and
		(8)  representatives of local governmental entities, 
with at least one representative from a rural area of the state and 
one representative from an urban area of the state.
	(b)  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.  Another member of the work group is not 
entitled to compensation for serving on the work group.
	(c)  Not later than January 1, 2007, the  work group shall 
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)  This section expires January 1, 2007.                              
	SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2006, the commissioner 
of aging and disability services shall appoint the members of the 
work group as required by Section 247.032, Health and Safety Code, 
as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.