BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 336

81R987 PMO-D                                                                                                                By: Deuell

                                                                                                                  Health & Human Services

                                                                                                                                            4/14/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The population of state schools has decreased steadily over the last 30 years.  If this trend continues, Texas may soon find that it is not economically feasible to keep all 14 institutions open.

 

As proposed,  S.B. 336 allows the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to temporarily or permanently close a state school if doing so will result in more efficient use of state money or other resources.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

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

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 533.083, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 533.083.  New heading: EXPANSION, CLOSURE, OR CONSOLIDATION OF FACILITY.  (a)  Creates this subsection from existing text.

 

(b)  Authorizes the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (executive commissioner), if it is determined by the executive commissioner that temporarily or permanently closing a state school would result in a more efficient use of state money or other resources, to close that state school.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.