BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3998

By: Krause

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions were put in place that prohibited in-person visitation in many long-term care facilities and hospitals. As a result of these restrictions, there were numerous reports of individuals being forced to say goodbye to loved ones who were dying using videoconferencing technology without a chance to see them in person. H.B. 3998 seeks to prevent this from happening in the future by prohibiting political subdivisions from adopting or enforcing restrictions on the amount of time of an individual's access to an imminently dying member of the individual's family.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3998 amends the Local Government Code to prohibit a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing an order, ordinance, or other measure that prohibits or limits the amount of time of an individual's access to an imminently dying member of the individual's family.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.