MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Thursday, March 8, 2001
9 a.m.
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, and a motion made by Senator Moncrief to suspend the
Senate posting rules on SB 43 by Senator Zaffirini and SB 375 by
Senator Zaffirini, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on
Health and Human Services was held on Thursday, March 8, 2001,
in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Mike Moncrief, Chairman Senator David Bernsen
Senator John Carona, Vice Chairman
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator David Sibley
*****
Senator Carona, serving as the presiding officer, called the
meeting to order at 9:11 a.m. The following business was
transacted.
The chairman laid out SB 47 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
residential and nonresidential services for victims of family
violence, and recognized the author to explain the bill.
At 9:12 a.m. Senator Moncrief assumed presiding duties and a
quorum was established.
Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute for SB 47 and
Senator Zaffirini explained the differences between it and the
bill as filed.
Senator Nelson moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 47. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 47 are shown on the attached list. There being no other
witnesses registered or responding to the chairman's call for
public testimony relating to the committee substitute for SB 47,
the chairman closed public testimony.
Senator Gallegos asked unanimous consent to be shown voting "aye"
on the committee substitute for SB 47. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 47 be reported to the Senate with
the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee
substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The
motion prevailed by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent.
Senator Nelson moved that the committee substitute for SB 47 be
recommended for certification on the local and uncontested
calendar. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chairman laid out SB 432 by Senator Carona, relating to the
detention and transportation of a person admitted to a county
mental health facility for mental health services, and
recognized the author to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute for SB 432 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 432. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 432 are shown on the attached list. There being no other
witnesses registered or responding to the chairman's call for
public testimony relating to the committee substitute for SB
432, the chairman closed public testimony.
Senator Gallegos asked unanimous consent to be shown voting "aye"
on the committee substitute for SB 432. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Carona moved that SB 432 be reported to the Senate with
the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee
substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The
motion prevailed by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays and 3 absent.
The chairman laid out SB 616 by Senator Van de Putte, relating
to the establishment of a medical assistance pilot program for
the management of children's asthma, and recognized the author
to explain the bill.
Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute for SB 616 and
Senator Van de Putte explained the differences between it and
the bill as filed.
Senator Harris moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 616. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 616 are shown on the attached list. There being no other
witnesses registered or responding to the chairman's call for
public testimony relating to the committee substitute for SB
616, the chairman closed public testimony.
The chairman left the committee substitute for SB 616 pending
temporarily, to await the arrival of a quorum.
At 9:49 a.m. Senator Carona resumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out SB 831 by Senator Moncrief, relating to
the establishment of a medical assistance buy-in pilot program
for certain persons with disabilities, and recognized the author
to explain the bill.
Senator Moncrief sent up a committee substitute for SB 831 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Moncrief moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 831. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 831 are shown on the attached list. There being no other
witnesses registered or responding to the chairman's call for
public testimony relating to the committee substitute for SB
831, the chairman closed public testimony.
Senators Gallegos, Harris, Nelson and Sibley asked unanimous
consent to be shown voting "aye" on the committee substitute for
SB 831. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 831 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the
committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be
printed. The motion prevailed by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays and 2
absent.
Senator Moncrief moved that the committee substitute for SB 831
be recommended for certification on the local and uncontested
calendar. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chairman laid out SB 691 by Senator Moncrief, relating to
the creation of an assisted living facility trust fund, and
recognized the author to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 691 are shown on the
attached list. There being no other witnesses registered or
responding to the chairman's call for public testimony relating
to SB 691, the chairman closed public testimony.
The chairman left SB 691 pending temporarily, to await the
arrival of a quorum.
At 10:12 a.m. Senator Moncrief assumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out SB 812 by Senator Carona, relating to
expanding access to women's health care services, and recognized
the author to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 812 are shown on the
attached list. There being no other witnesses registered or
responding to the chairman's call for public testimony relating
to SB 812, the chairman closed public testimony.
At the author's request, SB 812 was left pending.
The chairman laid out anew SB 616 by Senator Van de Putte,
relating to the establishment of a medical assistance pilot
program for the management of children's asthma, which had been
left pending to await the arrival of a quorum.
Senator Gallegos asked unanimous consent to be shown voting "aye"
on the committee substitute for SB 616. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 616 be reported to the Senate with
the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee
substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The
motion prevailed by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
Senator Nelson moved that the committee substitute for SB 616 be
recommended for certification on the local and uncontested
calendar. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
At 10:27 a.m. Senator Carona resumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out anew SB 691 by Senator Moncrief, relating
to the creation of an assisted living facility trust fund, which
had been left pending to await the arrival of a quorum.
Senator Gallegos asked unanimous consent to be shown voting "aye"
on SB 691. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 691 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion prevailed by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 691 be recommended for
certification on the local and uncontested calendar. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chairman laid out anew SB 834 by Senator Moncrief, relating
to electronic access to health and human services information,
which had been left pending, and recognized Senator Moncrief.
Senators Gallegos and Madla asked unanimous consent to be shown
voting "aye" on SB 834. There being no objection, the motion
prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 834 be reported to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion prevailed by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 834 be recommended for
certification on the local and uncontested calendar. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
At 10:33 a.m. Senator Moncrief assumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out the March 1 and March 5, 2001, minutes and
called for revisions. There being none, Senator Shapleigh moved
their approval. There being no objection, the motion prevailed
by unanimous consent.
The chairman laid out SB 161 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
authorizing transitional support services to former recipients
of TANF benefits, and recognized the author to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 161 are shown on the
attached list. There being no other witnesses registered or
responding to the chairman's call for public testimony relating
to SB 161, the chairman closed public testimony.
Senators Gallegos and Harris asked unanimous consent to be shown
voting "aye" on SB 161. There being no objection, the motion
prevailed by unanimous consent.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 161 be reported to the Senate with
the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion
prevailed by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 161 be recommended for
certification on the local and uncontested calendar. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
By unanimous consent, the chairman recessed the committee at
10:38 a.m., until 30 minutes after the adjournment of the Texas
Senate.
The chairman reconvened the Senate Committee on Health and Human
Services at 1:48 p.m.
At 1:51 p.m. Senator Carona assumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out SB 373 by Senator Moncrief, relating to
simplifying the application and eligibility determination
process for medical assistance provided to children, and
recognized the author to explain the bill.
The chairman laid out SB 374 by Senator Moncrief, relating to
continuous eligibility of children for medical assistance, and
recognized the author to explain the bill.
At 1:59 p.m. Senator Moncrief resumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out SB 43 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
simplifying the certification process for medical assistance
provided to children, and recognized Senator Nelson, in absence
of the author, to explain the bill.
The chairman laid out SB 375 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
application and eligibility for Medicaid, and recognized Senator
Nelson, in absence of the author, to explain the bill.
The chairman laid out SB 376 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
consideration of assets and resources for purposes of
determining eligibility to children for Medicaid, and recognized
Senator Nelson, in absence of the author, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 43, SB 373, SB 374,
SB 375 and SB 376 are shown on the attached list. Testimony on
SB 43, SB 373, SB 374, SB 375 and SB 376 was left open.
At 2:17 p.m. Senator Carona assumed presiding duties.
At 2:21 p.m. Senator Moncrief resumed presiding duties.
At 2:58 p.m. Senator Carona assumed presiding duties.
At 3:01 p.m. Senator Moncrief resumed presiding duties.
The chairman laid out SB 297 by Senator West, relating to
providing supplemental financial assistance to certain
grandparents, and recognized the author to explain the bill.
Senator Shapleigh sent up a committee substitute for SB 297 and
Senator West explained the differences between it and the bill
as filed.
Senator Shapleigh moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 297. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 297 are shown on the attached list. There being no other
witnesses registered or responding to the chairman's call for
public testimony relating to the committee substitute for SB
297, the chairman closed public testimony.
At the chairman's request, the committee substitute for SB 297
was left pending.
The chairman laid out SB 751 by Senator Shapleigh, relating to
providing the services of promotoras to certain recipients of
medical assistance, and recognized the author to explain the
bill.
Senator Shapleigh sent up a committee substitute for SB 751 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Shapleigh moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 751. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 751 are shown on the attached list. Testimony on the
committee substitute for SB 751 was left open.
At the author's request, the committee substitute for SB 751 was
left pending.
The chairman laid out SB 184 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
services and programs provided under and eligibility for
temporary assistance for needy families and for food stamps, and
recognized Senator Carona, in absence of the author, to explain
the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute for SB 184 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 184. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chairman laid out SB 1008 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
resource requirements under the temporary assistance for needy
families program and the food stamp program, and recognized
Senator Carona, in absence of the author, to explain the bill.
The chairman laid out SB 34 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
providing dental services to certain recipients of medical
assistance, and recognized Senator Carona, in absence of the
author, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute for SB 34 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 34. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chairman laid out SB 51 by Senator Zaffirini, relating to
the provision of Medicaid to certain persons making the
transition from foster care to independent living, and
recognized Senator Carona, in absence of the author, to explain
the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute for SB 51 and
explained the differences between it and the bill as filed.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of the committee substitute
for SB 51. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
At 3:34 p.m. Senator Carona assumed presiding duties.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 184 are shown on the attached list. Testimony on the
committee substitute for SB 184 was left open.
Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 1008 are shown on the
attached list. Testimony on SB 1008 was left open.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 34 are shown on the attached list. Testimony on the
committee substitute for SB 34 was left open.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the committee substitute
for SB 51 are shown on the attached list. Testimony on the
committee substitute for SB 51 was left open.
At the chairman's request, the committee substitute for SB 34,
the committee substitute for SB 51, the committee substitute for
SB 184 and SB 1008, were left pending.
No action was taken on the following pending bills:
SB 35 by Zaffirini, relating to authorizing the Health and Human
Services Commission to make grants to community-based
organizations to provide support for long-term care services,
SB 46 by Zaffirini, relating to minimum training regarding
family violence for certain state employees and other persons
administering the financial assistance program and to
identification of and services for certain victims of family
violence,
SB 49 by Zaffirini, relating to applying penalties to recipients
of financial and nutritional assistance for certain drug-and
alcohol-related convictions,
SB 532 by Nelson, relating to medical assistance for certain
persons in need of treatment for breast and cervical cancer,
SB 572 by Moncrief, relating to the reduction of the shortage of
registered nurses by establishing a program to increase
enrollments in nursing education programs, increasing nursing
faculty, and creating a nursing workforce data center, and
SB 595 by Harris, relating to access to certain complaints filed
with the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
There being no other business to come before the committee,
Senator Carona recessed the committee by unanimous consent at
4:05 p.m., subject to the call of the chairman.
_________________________________________
Senator Mike Moncrief, chairman
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Scott Caffey, committee clerk