87R10698 EAS-D
 
  By: Howard H.B. No. 3730
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a task force to study workforce
  shortages and care practices in assisted living facilities and
  nursing facilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Assisted living facility" means a facility
  licensed under Chapter 247, Health and Safety Code.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
               (3)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the commission.
               (4)  "Nursing facility" means a facility licensed under
  Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code.
               (5)  "Task force" means the task force on workforce
  shortages and care practices in assisted living facilities and
  nursing facilities established under this section.
         (b)  The task force on workforce shortages and care practices
  in assisted living facilities and nursing facilities is established
  to:
               (1)  evaluate the workforce shortages in assisted
  living facilities and nursing facilities in this state;
               (2)  evaluate direct care staffing issues in assisted
  living facilities and nursing facilities in this state;
               (3)  develop recommendations for legislation,
  policies, short-term strategies, and long-term strategies focusing
  on retention and recruitment of direct care staff in assisted
  living facilities and nursing facilities to ensure an adequate
  workforce is available to provide high-quality, cost-effective
  care, including recommendations on:
                     (A)  workforce engagement and advancement models;
                     (B)  job supports and incentives;
                     (C)  training and education initiatives;
                     (D)  wages and benefits; and
                     (E)  licensure and certification rules; and
               (4)  examine nursing facility reform, including:
                     (A)  implementing new care models;
                     (B)  optimizing nursing facility size and
  configuration to foster resident wellness and infection control;
                     (C)  optimizing nursing facility staffing to meet
  resident needs; and
                     (D)  increasing clinical presence in nursing
  facilities.
         (c)  The task force is composed of:
               (1)  one member appointed by the governor;
               (2)  the state long-term care ombudsman; and
               (3)  not more than 11 members appointed by the
  executive commissioner as follows:
                     (A)  at least one member who is a representative
  of the commission;
                     (B)  at least one member who represents LeadingAge
  Texas;
                     (C)  at least one member who represents the Texas
  Health Care Association;
                     (D)  at least one member who represents the Texas
  Assisted Living Association;
                     (E)  at least one member who represents the
  American Association of Retired Persons;
                     (F)  at least one member who represents the Texas
  Higher Education Coordinating Board;
                     (G)  at least one member who represents the Texas
  Medical Directors Association;
                     (H)  at least one member who represents the Texas
  Workforce Commission; and
                     (I)  two or more members who represent a public or
  private institution of higher education in this state.
         (d)  Not later than November 1, 2021, the governor and the
  executive commissioner shall appoint task force members as required
  by Subsection (c) of this section.
         (e)  Not later than November 1, 2022, the task force shall
  prepare and submit to the legislature, the commission, the Senate
  Health and Human Services Committee, and the House Public Health
  Committee a written report containing the results of the task
  force's evaluation under Subsection (b) of this section and any
  recommendations for legislative or other action.
         (f)  The commission shall post the report submitted to the
  commission under Subsection (e) of this section on the commission's
  Internet website.
         (g)  The task force is abolished and this Act expires
  September 1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.