HBA-LJP S.B. 1429 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1429
By: West, Royce
Higher Education
5/4/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to the 1995 publication "Dating Violence and Acquaintance
Assault" by the Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, up
to one-third of young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 have reported
being involved in at least one abusive dating situation.  Assisting victims
and perpetrators in modifying behavior that contributes to violence in a
relationship may help both the victims and perpetrators to bring an end to
such violence.  Senate Bill 1429 establishes the Center for Relationship
Violence Prevention and Intervention at Prairie View A&M University. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1429 amends the Education Code to establish, subject to the
availability of funds, the Center for Relationship Violence Prevention and
Intervention (center) at Prairie View A&M University and to vest the
organization, control, and management of the center in the board of regents
of The Texas A&M University System (board).  The bill prohibits the board
from using legislative appropriations, other than any gifts or grants
subject to appropriation, to establish or operate the center. 

The bill authorizes the center to provide services to victims and
perpetrators of relationship violence, to serve as a shelter for victims in
Waller County and the surrounding community, to conduct research and
educational programs, to serve as an information resource on relationship
violence, and to develop and implement programs, policies, and strategies
addressing relationship violence in partnership and collaboration with
other entities.  The bill authorizes the center to enter into a cooperative
agreement or contract with a public or private entity to perform the duties
of the center. 

The bill requires the board to approve the employment of personnel by and
the operating budget of the center, and provides that an employee of the
center is an employee of Prairie View A&M University. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.