HBA-NLM H.B. 1496 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1496
By: Christian
Human Services
3/8/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 74th Legislature mandated that the Health and Human Services Commission
(commission) maximize the available funding for transportation services for
those receiving other benefits from the commission and that the commission
provide those services through local transportation providers.  In
addition, the U.S. Congress has encouraged the states to utilize
faith-based organizations in delivering welfare services to those in need.
Under the "Charitable Choice" provision of the federal Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, a state may
choose to use federal welfare funds to contract with non-governmental
social service providers.  H.B 1496 requires a social services provider, in
regard to the transportation services available to social services clients,
to use private nonprofit entities that provide transportation services at
little or no cost. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 459.002, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec.  459.002.  COORDINATION WITH TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS.  Requires a
social services provider, in regard to the transportation services
available to social services clients, to use private nonprofit entities
that provide transportation services at little or no cost. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.