Texas 2017 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HB284 Comm Sub / Bill

Filed 03/21/2017

                    85R15416 DMS-D
 By: Springer H.B. No. 284
 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 284:
 By:  Frank C.S.H.B. No. 284


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to authorization for certain health care facilities to
 secure residents with wheelchair self-release seat belts.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 322, Health and Safety
 Code, is amended by adding Section 322.0515 to read as follows:
 Sec. 322.0515.  AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF WHEELCHAIR
 SELF-RELEASE SEAT BELT.  Notwithstanding Section 322.051, a
 facility shall allow a resident to use a wheelchair self-release
 seat belt while the resident is in the resident's wheelchair if:
 (1)  the resident demonstrates the ability to release
 and fasten the seat belt without assistance;
 (2)  the use of the wheelchair self-release seat belt
 complies with the resident's plan of care; and
 (3)  the facility receives written authorization
 signed by the resident or the resident's legal guardian for the
 resident to use the wheelchair self-release seat belt.
 SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
 a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
 federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
 the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
 authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
 waiver or authorization is granted.
 SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
 of this Act but not later than January 1, 2018, the executive
 commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
 adopt rules necessary to implement this Act.
 SECTION 4.  Section 322.0515, Health and Safety Code, as
 added by this Act, applies only to the use of a wheelchair
 self-release seat belt occurring on or after January 1, 2018. Use
 of a wheelchair self-release seat belt occurring before that date
 is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective
 date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that
 purpose.
 SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.