HBA-EDN S.B. 1050 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1050
By: Van de Putte
Public Health
5/17/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Health is responsible for conducting annual
inspections of youth camps throughout the state.  Senate Bill 1050 provides
an additional standard which the camps must meet to be or remain licensed
and increases the maximum administrative penalty for a violation of the
Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Board of Health in SECTION 3
(Section 141.005, Health and Safety Code) and SECTION 4 (Section 141.009,
Health and Safety Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1050 amends the Health and Safety Code to provide that the
health and safety standards for youth camps established by rule by the
Texas Board of Health (board) may relate to records of criminal convictions
of camp personnel.  The bill provides that a person holding a license
issued under the Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act must renew the
license annually by submitting a renewal application on a date determined
by board rule rather than by May 1 of each year.  The bill increases, from
$100 to $2,000, the maximum amount per day of an administrative penalty
assessed by the commissioner of public health for a violation of the Texas
Youth Camp Safety and Health Act.   

The Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act does not apply to a facility or
program operated by a private or independent institution of higher
education. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001. 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 removes the provision exempting a facility or
program operated by a private or independent institution of higher
education from the Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act.