Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2205 by Clardy (Relating to the informal dispute resolution process for certain disputes between the Health and Human Services Commission and long-term care facilities.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require that, for informal dispute resolutions of violations in assisted living and nursing facilities, the surveyor who conducted the survey for which the violation was written must be available to clarify or answer questions related to the facility or the statement. The bill would also require that a registered nurse with long-term care experience review the facility's informal dispute resolution request.
If the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) identified a violation that constituted immediate jeopardy in a convalescent or nursing facility, the bill would require HHSC to immediately notify facility management and remain in or be accessible to the facility until HHSC has received the facility's plan of removal related to the violation.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, the bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.