HBA-JRA, NIK C.S.H.B. 2914 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2914
By: Pitts
Human Services
4/9/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The purpose of C.S.H.B. 2914 is to inform potential consumers of home and
community support services, licensed convalescent and nursing homes, and
other related institutions of the employee drug testing policies of such
organizations and to encourage health care employers to maintain a
drug-free environment.   C.S.H.B. 2914 requires agencies that provide home
and community support services, licensed convalescent and nursing homes,
and other related institutions to provide potential consumers with a
statement regarding their employee drug testing policies. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 142, Health and Safety Code, by
adding Section 142.007, as follows: 

Sec. 142.007.  NOTICE OF DRUG TESTING POLICY.  Requires an agency licensed
under this chapter (Home And Community Support Services) to provide each
person applying for services from the agency and any person requesting the
information with a statement describing the agency's policy for the drug
testing of employees who have direct contact with clients. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, by
adding Section 242.0371, as follows: 

Sec. 242.0371.  NOTICE OF DRUG TESTING POLICY.  Requires an institution
licensed under this chapter (Convalescent And Nursing Homes And Related
Institutions) to provide each person applying for services from the agency
and any person requesting the information with a statement describing the
agency's policy for the drug testing of employees who have direct contact
with clients. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The original did not include section numbers or titles, but rather the
statement "appropriately numbered section."  The substitute appropriately
numbers and titles proposed Sections 142.007 and 242.0371, Health and
Safety Code, and makes the text of each section conform to the style of the
Texas Legislative Council.