BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1200
87R13736 MM-F	By: Powell
	Health & Human Services
	4/22/2021
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1200 directs the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to promote referral into nurse-family partnership. This would be paired with a report on the utilization and referral of the nurse-family partnership.

The nurse-family partnership works by having specially trained nurses regularly visit young, first-time moms-to-be, starting early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child's second birthday.

The expectant moms benefit by getting the care and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy. At the same time, new mothers develop a close relationship with a nurse who becomes a trusted resource they can rely on for advice on everything from safely caring for their child to taking steps to provide a stable, secure future for them both.

(Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent) 

C.S.S.B. 1200 amends current law relating to referrals to and consent to services under certain programs designed to serve pregnant women and families.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 265.101, Family Code, by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (1-b), to define, for purposes of Subchapter C (Nurse-Family Partnership Competitive Grant Program), "commission" and "health and human services agencies." Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 265, Family Code, by adding Section 265.1025, as follows:

Sec. 265.1025. COORDINATION BETWEEN AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to coordinate with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to promote the referral to a partnership program of pregnant women receiving services through a public benefits program administered by HHSC or a health and human services agency. Authorizes the coordination to include encouraging and supporting agreements between local organizations providing services to pregnant women.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 265.154(b), Family Code, as follows:

(b) Requires that a report submitted under Section 265.154 (Reports to Legislature) include, among other elements, the sources from which pregnant women were referred in the preceding two-year period to a nurse-family partnership program under Subchapter C.� Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 531.982, Government Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:

(d) Authorizes a minor who is otherwise eligible for a home visiting program to consent to enrollment in and to receive services from a home visiting program. Defines "minor" as an individual who is younger than 18 years of age.

SECTION 5. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes delay of implementation until such a waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2021.