BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 944 By: Nelson Health & Human Services 3/5/2013 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 944
By: Nelson
Health & Human Services
3/5/2013
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 944
By: Nelson
Health & Human Services
3/5/2013
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The purpose of S.B. 944 is to protect patients in mental health units of hospitals by increasing the standard for employment in those facilities. Specifically, the bill requires hospitals to conduct a criminal history record check for unlicensed employees working in a mental health unit, which includes psychiatric technicians, food service workers, et cetera. Section 250.006 (Convictions Barring Employment), Health and Safety Code, prohibits the employment of persons by a facility if that person has been convicted of certain offenses as set forth in that section. As proposed, S.B. 944 amends current law relating to criminal history record checks for certain employees of facilities licensed by the Department of State Health Services. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 250.001(3), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "facility" to include a mental health service unit of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241 (Hospitals), and make nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The purpose of S.B. 944 is to protect patients in mental health units of hospitals by increasing the standard for employment in those facilities. Specifically, the bill requires hospitals to conduct a criminal history record check for unlicensed employees working in a mental health unit, which includes psychiatric technicians, food service workers, et cetera. Section 250.006 (Convictions Barring Employment), Health and Safety Code, prohibits the employment of persons by a facility if that person has been convicted of certain offenses as set forth in that section.
As proposed, S.B. 944 amends current law relating to criminal history record checks for certain employees of facilities licensed by the Department of State Health Services.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 250.001(3), Health and Safety Code, to redefine "facility" to include a mental health service unit of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241 (Hospitals), and make nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.