HBA-DMD H.B. 642 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 642
By: Christian
Human Services
2/19/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Research suggests that there is a strong correlation between a stable
two-parent family structure and a child's academic performance and general
well-being.  Statistics also show that the poverty rate for single-mother
families is 21 percent, compared with a rate of 5 percent for two-parent
families. H.B. 642 attempts to further the state's welfare reform effort by
requiring the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that human
services agency rules do not discourage marriage, encourage divorce, or
discourage participation in the workforce. 

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 531.034(b), Government Code, to require the
Health and Human Services Commission to review health and human services
agency rules to ensure that the rules do not discourage marriage, encourage
divorce, or discourage participation in the workforce. Redesignates
existing Subdivisions (b)(1)-(4) to Paragraphs (b)(1)(A)-(D).   

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.