BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2091

By: Walle

County Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In December 2020, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved a name change for the Harris County Board of Protective Services for Children and Adults in order to more accurately reflect the work that is being carried out by the board. In addition to the name change, statutory changes are needed to allow for certain funds to be used to assist eligible adults with disabilities and eligible elderly persons. C.S.H.B. 2091 seeks to provide for these changes by amending provisions governing the board.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2091 amends the Human Resources Code to redesignate the Harris County Board of Protective Services for Children and Adults as the Harris County Board of Resources for Children and Adults.

C.S.H.B. 2091 expands the scope of the board's powers with respect to disbursing funds, accepting and using gifts or grants, and spending funds to benefit children by including those activities with respect to eligible adults with disabilities and eligible elderly persons. The bill extends the applicability of the board's power to accept and disburse fees and contributions from parents, guardians, and relatives of applicable individuals to those individuals who are in the county guardianship program, in the county representative payee program, or receiving services from the county Senior Justice Assessment Center. The bill specifies that the funds, grants, and assistance available from a federal or state department or agency that the board may use for certain purposes are funds, grants, and assistance available to the board or the county.

C.S.H.B. 2091 authorizes the board to collaborate with state agencies to provide services for eligible adults with disabilities and eligible elderly persons who are county residents, who may be in need of a guardianship or assistance from a representative payee, or who have been exploited, abused, or neglected.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2091 differs from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions.

The substitute revises the authorization for the board to collaborate with certain entities to provide services for eligible adults and elderly persons as follows:

· does not include specific mention of the commissioners court, which was included in the original, as a collaborating entity in this authorization; and

· clarifies the qualifications in the original of the eligible adults and persons for whom the services are provided.