H.B. No. 284         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; EXCEPTION.  (a) Except as provided by   Subsection (b) and 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.          (b)  A facility that advertises as a restraint-free facility   is not required to comply with Subsection (a) if the facility:                (1)  provides to current and prospective residents a   written disclosure stating the facility is restraint-free and is   not required to comply with a request under Subsection (a); and                (2)  makes all reasonable efforts to accommodate the   concerns of a resident who requests a seat belt under Subsection   (a).            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.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 284 was passed by the House on April   6, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 284 on May 25, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 130, Nays 12,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 284 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 22, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays   1.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor