HBA-JEK S.B. 47 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 47
By: Zaffirini
Human Services
3/21/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) estimates that 857,745 women
were victims of domestic violence during the fiscal year 2000.  That same
year, DHS provided family violence services to 41,203 women, or about five
percent of those in need.  Under current law, locally based and supported
nonprofit family violence shelter centers are eligible to receive funding
from the DHS Family Violence Program.  Many victims of family violence do
not need residential services, but may require other services such as
counseling, court accompaniment, and referral to community resources.
Nonresidential programs are not recognized in the Human Resources Code and
are not eligible to receive state funding.  Senate Bill 47 authorizes DHS
to award funds to nonresidential family violence centers and family
violence special projects. 

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 47 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas
Department of Human Services (DHS) no later than January 1, 2002 to develop
and maintain a plan for delivering family violence services while taking
into consideration the geographic distribution and need for services (Sec.
51.0021 and SECTION 12).  The bill expands the requirement for DHS to
contract with nonprofit family violence centers to include family violence
nonresidential centers.  The bill authorizes DHS to contract with family
violence special projects and sets forth contract requirements, including
bidding and eligibility requirements and contract specifications, for
family violence shelter centers, nonresidential family violence centers,
and family violence special projects (Secs. 51.002-51.005).  The bill
requires DHS and the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to
coordinate the provision of violence prevention services for children (Sec.
51.012). 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.