HBA-AMW, BSM, CCH H.B. 3556 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3556
By: Maxey
Human Services
7/27/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) issues different classes of
licenses to facilities that administer mental health programs.  Prior to
the 77th Legislature, one of the classes of licenses issued by DHS applied
to programs offering minimal assisted living services and could only be
obtained by programs offering services in buildings that did not have more
than one story.  The one-story provision risked forcing some two-story
facilities to close and could have pressured future facilities to locate in
less convenient suburban areas where property values were more affordable.
House Bill 3556 provides that the minimum standards for an assisted living
facility must provide for a two-story building. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3556 amends the Health and Safety Code to set forth that the
Texas Board of Human Services must modify accessibility and life safety
code standards to provide for two story buildings.  The bill also provides
that two story buildings must meet all life safety code requirements in
regards to protecting vertical openings, as specified in the 1998 edition
of the National Fire Protection Association. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.