|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the licensing and regulation of post-acute care |
|
acquired brain injury rehabilitation facilities; providing |
|
penalties. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 4, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Chapter 248A to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 248A. POST-ACUTE CARE ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY |
|
REHABILITATION FACILITIES |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
Sec. 248A.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as |
|
the Post-Acute Care Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Facility |
|
Licensing Act. |
|
Sec. 248A.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Brain injury" means an acquired injury to the |
|
brain. The term does not include brain dysfunction caused by |
|
congenital or degenerative disorders or birth trauma. The term |
|
includes brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near drowning, |
|
stroke, aneurysm, tumors, toxins, infection, or metabolic causes. |
|
(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of state |
|
health services. |
|
(3) "Department" means the Department of State Health |
|
Services. |
|
(4) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
|
(5) "Facility" means an institution or establishment |
|
that provides a continuum of post-acute rehabilitation services |
|
primarily to medically stable persons who have suffered an acquired |
|
brain injury. |
|
(6) "Nursing care" means services provided by nursing |
|
personnel as prescribed by a physician, including services to: |
|
(A) promote and maintain health; |
|
(B) prevent illness and disability; |
|
(C) manage health care during acute and chronic |
|
phases of illness; |
|
(D) provide guidance and counseling of |
|
individuals and families; and |
|
(E) provide referrals to physicians, other |
|
health care providers, and community resources when appropriate. |
|
(7) "Patient" means an individual accepted for |
|
inpatient or outpatient services in a post-acute care acquired |
|
brain injury rehabilitation facility. |
|
(8) "Services" means the provision of care, |
|
assistance, or treatment by facility personnel, volunteers, or |
|
other qualified individuals, agencies, or staff of an organization |
|
or other entity to meet a patient's medical, nursing, social, |
|
spiritual, and emotional needs. |
|
Sec. 248A.003. EXEMPTIONS. (a) This chapter does not apply |
|
to: |
|
(1) a home and community support services agency |
|
licensed under Chapter 142; |
|
(2) a person licensed under Chapter 241; |
|
(3) an institution licensed under Chapter 242; |
|
(4) an ambulatory surgical center licensed under |
|
Chapter 243; |
|
(5) a birthing center licensed under Chapter 244; |
|
(6) a facility licensed under Chapter 245 or Chapter |
|
247; |
|
(7) a child-care institution, foster group home, |
|
foster family home, or child-placing agency, for children in foster |
|
care or other residential care who are under the conservatorship of |
|
the Department of Family and Protective Services; or |
|
(8) a person providing medical or nursing care or |
|
services under a license or permit issued under other state law. |
|
(b) This chapter does not require an entity listed in |
|
Subsection (a) to obtain an additional license under this chapter |
|
to provide services authorized under another license issued by this |
|
state. |
|
[Sections 248A.004-248A.050 reserved for expansion] |
|
SUBCHAPTER B. LICENSING, FEES, AND INSPECTIONS |
|
Sec. 248A.051. LICENSE REQUIRED; QUALIFICATIONS. (a) A |
|
person may not establish or operate a post-acute care acquired |
|
brain injury rehabilitation facility unless the person holds a |
|
license issued under this chapter. |
|
(b) To protect the public health and safety, the executive |
|
commissioner shall establish qualifications for holding a license |
|
under this chapter. The qualifications must require the facility |
|
to hold an accreditation for post-acute providers from the |
|
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or |
|
another nationally recognized accreditation organization approved |
|
by the executive commissioner. |
|
Sec. 248A.052. APPLICATION. (a) An applicant for a license |
|
must submit an application to the department on a form prescribed by |
|
the department and in accordance with executive commissioner rules. |
|
(b) Each application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable |
|
license fee in the amount set by the executive commissioner under |
|
Section 248A.054(a). |
|
(c) The department may require that an application be |
|
approved by the local health authority or other local official for |
|
compliance with municipal ordinances on building construction, |
|
fire prevention, and sanitation. |
|
Sec. 248A.053. ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF LICENSE. (a) The |
|
department shall issue a license to an applicant if on inspection |
|
and investigation it finds that the applicant meets the |
|
requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted by the executive |
|
commissioner. |
|
(b) A license shall be renewed at the times and in |
|
accordance with the rules established by the executive |
|
commissioner. |
|
Sec. 248A.054. FEES. (a) The executive commissioner shall |
|
establish a license application fee in the amount reasonable and |
|
necessary to cover the cost of administering this chapter. |
|
(b) The executive commissioner may establish other |
|
reasonable and necessary fees in amounts that are adequate, with |
|
the license application and license renewal fees, to collect |
|
sufficient revenue to meet the expenses necessary to administer |
|
this chapter. The fees may include construction plan review and |
|
inspection fees. |
|
(c) All fees collected under this chapter are |
|
nonrefundable. |
|
(d) All fees received by the department shall be deposited |
|
to the credit of the general revenue fund and may be appropriated |
|
only to the department to administer this chapter. |
|
Sec. 248A.055. NONTRANSFERABILITY; POSTING. (a) A license |
|
issued under this chapter is not transferable or assignable. |
|
(b) A facility shall post in plain sight the license issued |
|
under this chapter. |
|
Sec. 248A.056. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER. (a) The |
|
executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement |
|
this chapter. The rules must establish minimum standards for |
|
facilities to protect the health and safety of facility patients |
|
and to protect the public, including standards relating to: |
|
(1) the issuance, renewal, denial, suspension, and |
|
revocation of the license required by this chapter; |
|
(2) the qualifications, duties, and supervision of |
|
professional and nonprofessional personnel and volunteers, |
|
including a requirement that a manager of a facility be a certified |
|
brain injury specialist; |
|
(3) staff-to-patient ratios, which must require one |
|
staff person for every six patients during the day and a minimum of |
|
one staff person for every eight patients overnight; |
|
(4) post-acute care acquired brain injury |
|
transitional residential services provided by a license holder, |
|
including a requirement that at least 20 hours each week of therapy |
|
by licensed professionals be made available for each inpatient or |
|
day treatment patient and must include the disciplines required |
|
under Subsection (b); |
|
(5) the organizational structure, lines of authority, |
|
delegation of responsibility, and operation of a facility; |
|
(6) records of services kept by the license holder, |
|
including the disposal or destruction of those records; |
|
(7) safety, fire prevention, and sanitation |
|
provisions; |
|
(8) transfer of patients in a medically appropriate |
|
manner from or to a facility; |
|
(9) construction plan approval and inspection; |
|
(10) training for employees who do not hold a license |
|
as a health care practitioner and who will be delivering care to |
|
patients, including a requirement for at least 16 hours of |
|
orientation training, 24 hours of observation training, and |
|
evidence of demonstrated competency or proficiency from the |
|
training; |
|
(11) annual continuing education of at least 12 hours |
|
for employees; |
|
(12) treatment of minors; and |
|
(13) any other aspects of a facility as necessary to |
|
protect the health and safety of facility patients and to protect |
|
the public. |
|
(b) A facility shall provide regular representation of |
|
services in the following medical and therapeutic disciplines: |
|
(1) physiatry; |
|
(2) neurology; |
|
(3) nursing; |
|
(4) physical therapy; |
|
(5) occupational therapy; |
|
(6) speech and language pathology; |
|
(7) neuropsychology; |
|
(8) psychology and counseling; |
|
(9) case management; and |
|
(10) dietetics. |
|
(c) A facility may also provide services in the following |
|
disciplines: |
|
(1) applied behavioral analysis; |
|
(2) education and special education; |
|
(3) recreational therapy; |
|
(4) vocational rehabilitation counseling; |
|
(5) counseling by licensed practicing counselors; |
|
(6) clinical psychology; |
|
(7) rehabilitation psychology engineering; |
|
(8) behavior analysis; |
|
(9) internal medicine; |
|
(10) social work; |
|
(11) neurosurgery; |
|
(12) psychotherapy; |
|
(13) otolaryngology; and |
|
(14) education specialists. |
|
(d) A facility may provide the following services, and if |
|
provided, the services must be under a physician's order and |
|
supervision: |
|
(1) audiology; |
|
(2) exercise physiology and fitness; |
|
(3) ophthalmology; |
|
(4) neurooptometry; and |
|
(5) endocrinology. |
|
(e) Subsection (a) does not authorize the executive |
|
commissioner to establish the qualifications of licensed health |
|
care providers or permit the executive commissioner to authorize |
|
persons to provide health care services who are not authorized to |
|
provide those services under other state law. |
|
Sec. 248A.057. CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS. (a) If there are no |
|
local regulations in effect or enforced in the area in which a |
|
facility is located, the facility's construction must conform to |
|
the minimum standards established by the executive commissioner. |
|
(b) Construction of a facility is subject to construction |
|
plan approval by the department. |
|
Sec. 248A.058. INSPECTIONS; INVESTIGATIONS. (a) The |
|
department may inspect a facility and its records at reasonable |
|
times as necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter. |
|
(b) The department shall investigate each complaint |
|
received regarding a facility. |
|
Sec. 248A.059. CONTINUUM OF TREATMENT. A facility shall |
|
make available to persons who have suffered an acquired brain |
|
injury a continuum of treatment that includes: |
|
(1) inpatient residential rehabilitation; |
|
(2) day treatment rehabilitation; and |
|
(3) outpatient rehabilitation or home and community |
|
rehabilitation. |
|
[Sections 248A.060-248A.100 reserved for expansion] |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. GENERAL ENFORCEMENT |
|
Sec. 248A.101. LICENSE DENIAL, SUSPENSION, PROBATION, OR |
|
REVOCATION. (a) The department may deny, revoke, or suspend a |
|
license issued under this chapter for a violation of this chapter or |
|
the rules adopted under this chapter. |
|
(b) Except as provided by Section 248A.102, the procedures |
|
by which the department denies, revokes, or suspends a license and |
|
by which those actions are appealed are governed by the |
|
department's rules for a contested case hearing and by Chapter |
|
2001, Government Code. |
|
(c) If the department finds that a facility is in repeated |
|
noncompliance with this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter |
|
but that the noncompliance does not endanger the public health and |
|
safety, the department may schedule the facility for probation |
|
rather than suspending or revoking the facility's license. The |
|
department shall provide notice to the facility of the probation |
|
and of the items of noncompliance not later than the 10th day before |
|
the date the probation period begins. The department shall |
|
designate a period of not less than 30 days during which the |
|
facility will remain under probation. During the probation period, |
|
the facility must correct the items that were in noncompliance and |
|
report the corrections to the department for approval. |
|
(d) The department may suspend or revoke the license of a |
|
facility that does not correct items that were in noncompliance or |
|
that does not comply with this chapter or the rules adopted under |
|
this chapter within the applicable probation period. |
|
Sec. 248A.102. EMERGENCY SUSPENSION. (a) The department |
|
may issue an emergency order to suspend any license issued under |
|
this chapter if the department has reasonable cause to believe that |
|
the conduct of a license holder creates an immediate danger to the |
|
public health and safety. |
|
(b) An emergency suspension is effective immediately |
|
without a hearing on notice to the license holder. |
|
(c) On written request of the license holder, the department |
|
shall conduct a hearing not earlier than the 10th day or later than |
|
the 30th day after the date the hearing request is received to |
|
determine if the emergency suspension is to be continued, modified, |
|
or rescinded. |
|
(d) The hearing and any appeal are governed by department |
|
rules for a contested case hearing and by Chapter 2001, Government |
|
Code. |
|
Sec. 248A.103. INJUNCTION. (a) The department may request |
|
that the attorney general petition a district court to restrain a |
|
license holder or other person from continuing to violate this |
|
chapter or any rule adopted by the executive commissioner under |
|
this chapter. Venue for a suit for injunctive relief is in Travis |
|
County. |
|
(b) On application for injunctive relief and a finding that |
|
a license holder or other person has violated this chapter or |
|
executive commissioner rules, the district court shall grant the |
|
injunctive relief that the facts warrant. |
|
Sec. 248A.104. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A license holder or |
|
person who violates this chapter or a rule adopted by the executive |
|
commissioner under this chapter is liable for a civil penalty, to be |
|
imposed by a district court, of not more than $1,000 for each day of |
|
violation. |
|
(b) The attorney general may sue to collect the penalty and |
|
may recover reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, |
|
incurred in recovering the penalty. |
|
(c) All penalties collected under this section shall be |
|
deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund. |
|
Sec. 248A.105. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person who |
|
knowingly establishes or operates a facility without a license |
|
issued under this chapter commits an offense. |
|
(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. |
|
(c) Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a |
|
separate offense. |
|
[Sections 248A.106-248A.150 reserved for expansion] |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY |
|
Sec. 248A.151. IMPOSITION OF PENALTY. The commissioner may |
|
impose an administrative penalty on a person licensed under this |
|
chapter who violates this chapter or a rule or order adopted under |
|
this chapter. |
|
Sec. 248A.152. AMOUNT OF PENALTY. (a) The amount of the |
|
penalty may not exceed $1,000 for each violation, and each day a |
|
violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for purposes |
|
of imposing a penalty. The total amount of the penalty assessed for |
|
a violation continuing or occurring on separate days under this |
|
subsection may not exceed $5,000. |
|
(b) The amount shall be based on: |
|
(1) the seriousness of the violation, including the |
|
nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation; |
|
(2) the threat to health or safety caused by the |
|
violation; |
|
(3) the history of previous violations; |
|
(4) the amount necessary to deter a future violation; |
|
(5) whether the violator demonstrated good faith, |
|
including when applicable whether the violator made good faith |
|
efforts to correct the violation; and |
|
(6) any other matter that justice may require. |
|
Sec. 248A.153. REPORT AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND PENALTY. |
|
(a) If the department initially determines that a violation |
|
occurred, the department shall give written notice of the report by |
|
certified mail to the person. |
|
(b) The notice must: |
|
(1) include a brief summary of the alleged violation; |
|
(2) state the amount of the recommended penalty; and |
|
(3) inform the person of the person's right to a |
|
hearing on the occurrence of the violation, the amount of the |
|
penalty, or both. |
|
Sec. 248A.154. PENALTY TO BE PAID OR HEARING REQUESTED. (a) |
|
Not later than the 20th day after the date the person receives the |
|
notice sent under Section 248A.153, the person in writing may: |
|
(1) accept the determination and recommended penalty |
|
of the department; or |
|
(2) make a request for a hearing on the occurrence of |
|
the violation, the amount of the penalty, or both. |
|
(b) If the person accepts the determination and recommended |
|
penalty or if the person fails to respond to the notice, the |
|
commissioner by order shall approve the determination and impose |
|
the recommended penalty. |
|
Sec. 248A.155. HEARING. (a) If the person requests a |
|
hearing, the commissioner shall refer the matter to the State |
|
Office of Administrative Hearings, which shall promptly set a |
|
hearing date and give written notice of the time and place of the |
|
hearing to the person. An administrative law judge of the State |
|
Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct the hearing. |
|
(b) The administrative law judge shall make findings of fact |
|
and conclusions of law and promptly issue to the commissioner a |
|
proposal for a decision about the occurrence of the violation and |
|
the amount of a proposed penalty. |
|
Sec. 248A.156. DECISION BY COMMISSIONER. (a) Based on the |
|
findings of fact, conclusions of law, and proposal for a decision, |
|
the commissioner by order may: |
|
(1) find that a violation occurred and impose a |
|
penalty; or |
|
(2) find that a violation did not occur. |
|
(b) The notice of the commissioner's order under Subsection |
|
(a) that is sent to the person in accordance with Chapter 2001, |
|
Government Code, must include a statement of the right of the person |
|
to judicial review of the order. |
|
Sec. 248A.157. OPTIONS FOLLOWING DECISION: PAY OR APPEAL. |
|
Not later than the 30th day after the date the order of the |
|
commissioner under Section 248A.156 that imposes an administrative |
|
penalty becomes final, the person shall: |
|
(1) pay the penalty; or |
|
(2) file a petition for judicial review of the |
|
commissioner's order contesting the occurrence of the violation, |
|
the amount of the penalty, or both. |
|
Sec. 248A.158. STAY OF ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTY. (a) Within |
|
the period prescribed by Section 248A.157, a person who files a |
|
petition for judicial review may: |
|
(1) stay enforcement of the penalty by: |
|
(A) paying the penalty to the court for placement |
|
in an escrow account; or |
|
(B) giving the court a supersedeas bond approved |
|
by the court that: |
|
(i) is for the amount of the penalty; and |
|
(ii) is effective until all judicial review |
|
of the commissioner's order is final; or |
|
(2) request the court to stay enforcement of the |
|
penalty by: |
|
(A) filing with the court a sworn affidavit of |
|
the person stating that the person is financially unable to pay the |
|
penalty and is financially unable to give the supersedeas bond; and |
|
(B) sending a copy of the affidavit to the |
|
commissioner by certified mail. |
|
(b) If the commissioner receives a copy of an affidavit |
|
under Subsection (a)(2), the commissioner may file with the court, |
|
not later than the fifth day after the date the copy is received, a |
|
contest to the affidavit. The court shall hold a hearing on the |
|
facts alleged in the affidavit as soon as practicable and shall stay |
|
the enforcement of the penalty on finding that the alleged facts are |
|
true. The person who files an affidavit has the burden of proving |
|
that the person is financially unable to pay the penalty and to give |
|
a supersedeas bond. |
|
Sec. 248A.159. COLLECTION OF PENALTY. (a) If the person |
|
does not pay the penalty and the enforcement of the penalty is not |
|
stayed, the penalty may be collected. |
|
(b) The attorney general may sue to collect the penalty and |
|
may recover reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, |
|
incurred in recovering the penalty. |
|
(c) A penalty collected under this subchapter shall be |
|
deposited in the state treasury in the general revenue fund. |
|
Sec. 248A.160. DECISION BY COURT. (a) If the court |
|
sustains the finding that a violation occurred, the court may |
|
uphold or reduce the amount of the penalty and order the person to |
|
pay the full or reduced amount of the penalty. |
|
(b) If the court does not sustain the finding that a |
|
violation occurred, the court shall order that a penalty is not |
|
owed. |
|
Sec. 248A.161. REMITTANCE OF PENALTY AND INTEREST. (a) If |
|
the person paid the penalty and if the amount of the penalty is |
|
reduced or the penalty is not upheld by the court, the court shall |
|
order, when the court's judgment becomes final, that the |
|
appropriate amount plus accrued interest be remitted to the person |
|
not later than the 30th day after the date that the judgment of the |
|
court becomes final. |
|
(b) The interest accrues at the rate charged on loans to |
|
depository institutions by the New York Federal Reserve Bank. |
|
(c) The interest shall be paid for the period beginning on |
|
the date the penalty is paid and ending on the date the penalty is |
|
remitted. |
|
Sec. 248A.162. RELEASE OF BOND. (a) If the person gave a |
|
supersedeas bond and the penalty is not upheld by the court, the |
|
court shall order, when the court's judgment becomes final, the |
|
release of the bond. |
|
(b) If the person gave a supersedeas bond and the amount of |
|
the penalty is reduced, the court shall order the release of the |
|
bond after the person pays the reduced amount. |
|
Sec. 248A.163. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE. A proceeding to |
|
impose the penalty is considered to be a contested case under |
|
Chapter 2001, Government Code. |
|
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than September 1, 2012, the |
|
executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission |
|
shall adopt the rules and standards required by Chapter 248A, |
|
Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding Section 248A.051, Health and Safety |
|
Code, as added by this Act, a post-acute care acquired brain injury |
|
rehabilitation facility is not required to hold a license under |
|
Chapter 248A until September 1, 2012. |
|
SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
|
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
|
(b) Subchapters C and D, Chapter 248A, Health and Safety |
|
Code, as added by this Act, take effect September 1, 2012. |