87R10698 EAS-D
By: Howard H.B. No. 3730
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to study workforce
shortages and care practices in assisted living facilities and
nursing facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Assisted living facility" means a facility
licensed under Chapter 247, Health and Safety Code.
(2) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(3) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the commission.
(4) "Nursing facility" means a facility licensed under
Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code.
(5) "Task force" means the task force on workforce
shortages and care practices in assisted living facilities and
nursing facilities established under this section.
(b) The task force on workforce shortages and care practices
in assisted living facilities and nursing facilities is established
to:
(1) evaluate the workforce shortages in assisted
living facilities and nursing facilities in this state;
(2) evaluate direct care staffing issues in assisted
living facilities and nursing facilities in this state;
(3) develop recommendations for legislation,
policies, short-term strategies, and long-term strategies focusing
on retention and recruitment of direct care staff in assisted
living facilities and nursing facilities to ensure an adequate
workforce is available to provide high-quality, cost-effective
care, including recommendations on:
(A) workforce engagement and advancement models;
(B) job supports and incentives;
(C) training and education initiatives;
(D) wages and benefits; and
(E) licensure and certification rules; and
(4) examine nursing facility reform, including:
(A) implementing new care models;
(B) optimizing nursing facility size and
configuration to foster resident wellness and infection control;
(C) optimizing nursing facility staffing to meet
resident needs; and
(D) increasing clinical presence in nursing
facilities.
(c) The task force is composed of:
(1) one member appointed by the governor;
(2) the state long-term care ombudsman; and
(3) not more than 11 members appointed by the
executive commissioner as follows:
(A) at least one member who is a representative
of the commission;
(B) at least one member who represents LeadingAge
Texas;
(C) at least one member who represents the Texas
Health Care Association;
(D) at least one member who represents the Texas
Assisted Living Association;
(E) at least one member who represents the
American Association of Retired Persons;
(F) at least one member who represents the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board;
(G) at least one member who represents the Texas
Medical Directors Association;
(H) at least one member who represents the Texas
Workforce Commission; and
(I) two or more members who represent a public or
private institution of higher education in this state.
(d) Not later than November 1, 2021, the governor and the
executive commissioner shall appoint task force members as required
by Subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Not later than November 1, 2022, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the legislature, the commission, the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee, and the House Public Health
Committee a written report containing the results of the task
force's evaluation under Subsection (b) of this section and any
recommendations for legislative or other action.
(f) The commission shall post the report submitted to the
commission under Subsection (e) of this section on the commission's
Internet website.
(g) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.