BILL ANALYSIS
By: Thompson
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Assisted care facilities and other such institutions provide care for those in the community whom are no long able to care for themselves. They offer aid to those with ailments and illnesses that inhibit them mentally and/or physically, which also may very in age and not necessarily concentrated towards senior citizens. The extent of this care ranges from minor day-to-day assistance to full-time constant care. These facilities are often built to be incorporated into the community and provide their residents with as many comforts as close to home as possible.
Texas has one of the highest numbers of sex offenders residing in institutions like nursing homes and assisted care facilities. The residents, employees, and staff of these facilities and institutions are not the only ones that are affected by the presence of a sex offender. The safety and well being of each family member, especially children and grand-children, are of great importance and directly impacted when they visit the institutions or facilities. The community is also directly impacted because many of these institutions are dependant on volunteers from the surrounding area. This legislation provides a way to better prepare your family so that you can make the best decisions for their safety.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
CSHB 918 amends Chapter 242, 246, and 247 of the Health and Safety Code by requiring an institution, not later than the third day after the date a person begins residing in the institution, to determine using the Internet Website maintained by the Department of Public Safety, whether a person residing in that institution is required to register under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure. If so, the institution shall notify the Department of Public Safety that the person is a resident in the institution. The changes made by this Act apply to the admission of a resident to a convalescent or nursing home, or related institution, a continuing care facility, or an assisted living facility that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
CSHB 918 does not include sections 242.019, 246.009, and 247.008 found in the original, which require public posting.