HBA-MPM S.B. 1475 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1475
By: Duncan
Human Services
4/20/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1985, the 69th Texas Legislature established the Children's Trust Fund
of Texas Council to help prevent child abuse and neglect by providing funds
to assist community-based intervention programs in all areas of the state.
The mission of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS)
also includes prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children
among its duties.  Transferring the powers and duties of the Children's
Trust Fund of Texas Council to PRS could eliminate duplication of services
and increase accountability in the delivery of services.  Senate Bill 1475
abolishes the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council and transfers its
existing programs, powers, and duties to PRS. 

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 1475 amends the Human Resources Code to abolish the Children's
Trust Fund of Texas Council, repeal related provisions, and transfer the
council's powers, duties, functions, programs, activities, obligations,
rights, contracts, records, property, funds, and employees to the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Service (PRS).  

PRS is required to set policy, offer resources for community primary
prevention programs, provide information and education on child abuse and
neglect prevention, develop a state plan for expending funds for child
abuse and neglect primary prevention programs (programs), develop
eligibility criteria for applicants requesting funding for such programs,
and establish funding priorities for the programs.  A program is required
to accommodate PRS's existing rules and policies in procuring, awarding,
and monitoring contracts and grants (Sec. 40.102).  

The Council is abolished on September 1, 2001 and any reference in existing
law to the council means PRS and a reference to the Children's Trust Fund
means the child abuse and neglect prevention trust fund as redesignated by
this bill (SECTION 10).  PRS is authorized to renew funding to entities
receiving funding in 2001 or who were awarded grants for 2002 from the
council for the biennium ending August 31, 2003 without the need for
competitive procurement (SECTION 12). 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.