By: West, et al. S.B. No. 131

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of nursing home family councils.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subsection (b), Section 242.044, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) For at least two unannounced inspections each licensing period of an institution other than one that provides maternity care, the department shall invite at least one person as a citizen advocate from:

(1) the American Association of Retired Persons;

(2) the Texas Senior Citizen Association;

(3) the Texas Retired Federal Employees;

(4) the department's [Texas Department on Aging] Certified Long Term Care Ombudsman; [or]

(5) the facility's family council; or

(6) another statewide organization for the elderly.

SECTION 2. Section 242.0445, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) Not later than the fifth working day after the date the facility receives the final statement of violations under this section, the facility shall provide a copy of the statement to a representative of the facility's family council.

SECTION 3. Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subchapter S to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER S. FAMILY COUNCIL

Sec. 242.901. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Department" means the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.

(3) "Family council" means a group of family members, friends, or representatives of two or more residents, who organize and meet privately.

Sec. 242.902. FAMILY COUNCIL. A family council may:

(1) make recommendations to the institution proposing policy and operational decisions affecting resident care and quality of life; and

(2) promote educational programs and projects that will promote the health and happiness of residents.

Sec. 242.903. DUTIES OF INSTITUTION. (a) An institution shall consider the views and act on the recommendations and grievances of the family council.

(b) An institution may not:

(1) prohibit the formation of a family council;

(2) terminate an existing family council;

(3) deny a family council the opportunity to accept help from an outside person;

(4) limit the rights of a resident, family member, or family council member to meet with an outside person, including:

(A) an employee of the institution during nonworking hours; and

(B) a member of a nonprofit or government organization;

(5) prevent or interfere with the family council receiving outside correspondence addressed to the council;

(6) open family council mail; or

(7) wilfully interfere with the formation, maintenance, or operation of a family council, including interfering by:

(A) discriminating or retaliating against a family council participant; and

(B) wilfully scheduling events in conflict with previously scheduled family council meetings if the institution has other scheduling options.

(c) On admission of a resident, an institution shall inform the resident's family members in writing of:

(1) the family members' right to form a family council; or

(2) if a family council already exists, the council's:

(A) meeting time, date, and location; and

(B) contact person.

(d) An institution shall:

(1) include notice of a family council in a mailing that occurs at least semiannually;

(2) permit a representative of a family council to participate in an inspection or survey of the facility;

(3) provide a family council with adequate space on a prominent bulletin board to post notices and other information;

(4) provide a designated staff person to act as liaison for a family council; and

(5) respond in writing to a written request by a family council within five working days.

Sec. 242.904. MEETINGS. (a) On written request, an institution shall allow a family council to meet in a common meeting room of the institution at least once a month during hours mutually agreed upon by the family council and the institution.

(b) Institution employees or visitors may attend a family council meeting only at the council's invitation.

Sec. 242.905. VISITING. A family council member may authorize another member to visit and observe a resident represented by the authorizing member.

Sec. 242.906. ADMINISTRATION; RULES. (a) The department shall administer this subchapter.

(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2007, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules as required by Section 242.906, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 5. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

(b) Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Act take effect September 1, 2008.