BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 930

By: Zaffirini

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reports indicate that more than 2,300 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Texas were impacted by a case of COVID-19, representing nearly 90,000 total cases. There are concerns that many of these residential facilities lack transparency regarding the spread of communicable diseases, which makes it difficult for residents and their families to make informed health decisions. S.B. 930 seeks to address these concerns by establishing disclosure requirements for residential facilities regarding the occurrence of communicable diseases.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 930 amends the Health and Safety Code to establish that, for purposes of medical records privacy protections, the following information is not considered protected health information:

·         information that identifies the name or location of a licensed nursing facility, continuing care facility, or assisted living facility in which residents have been diagnosed with a communicable disease; or

·         information that identifies the number of residents who have been diagnosed with a communicable disease in such a facility.

The bill subjects that information to disclosure under state public information law unless made confidential under other law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.