AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The purpose of S.B. 944 is to protect patients in mental health units of hospitals by increasing the standard for employment in those facilities.  Specifically, the bill requires hospitals to conduct a criminal history record check for unlicensed employees working in a mental health unit, which includes psychiatric technicians, food service workers, et cetera.  Section 250.006 (Convictions Barring Employment), Health and Safety Code, prohibits the employment of persons by a facility if that person has been convicted of certain offenses as set forth in that section.

 

As proposed, S.B. 944 amends current law relating to criminal history record checks for certain employees of facilities licensed by the Department of State Health Services.

 

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 250.001(3), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "facility" to include a mental health service unit of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241 (Hospitals), and make nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.