By: Spiller, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Perry) H.B. No. 3961
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 28, 2021;
  May 4, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &
  Human Services; May 17, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable
  Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0;
  May 17, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3961 By:  Perry
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to required posting of information regarding the office of
  the state long-term care ombudsman on certain long-term care
  facilities' Internet websites.
         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 260C to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 260C. POSTING OF OFFICE OF STATE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN
  INFORMATION BY CERTAIN FACILITIES
         Sec. 260C.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "long-term
  care facility" means:
               (1)  a nursing facility licensed under Chapter 242;
               (2)  an assisted living facility licensed under Chapter
  247; or
               (3)  any other facility providing care to residents who
  are assisted by the state long-term care ombudsman established
  under Subchapter F, Chapter 101A, Human Resources Code.
         Sec. 260C.002.  POSTING OF OFFICE OF STATE LONG-TERM CARE
  OMBUDSMAN INFORMATION ON INTERNET WEBSITE.  (a)  Except as provided
  by Subsection (b), a long-term care facility shall post on the
  facility's Internet website information about the office of the
  state long-term care ombudsman established under Subchapter F,
  Chapter 101A, Human Resources Code, including:
               (1)  information regarding the office's role as an
  advocate for residents of long-term care facilities; and
               (2)  the office's statewide toll-free telephone number.
         (b)  A long-term care facility:
               (1)  may comply with this section by posting the
  required information on the Internet website of the facility's
  parent company if the facility does not maintain a unique Internet
  website; and
               (2)  is not required to comply with this section if the
  facility and any parent company do not maintain an Internet
  website.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.
 
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