BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 956

By: LaMantia

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are required to biennially submit their own strategic plans along with a coordinated strategic plan for health and human services, which combines the HHSC and DSHS strategic plans into one document. When the original statutes governing the strategic planning process and reporting were passed, HHSC had no program areas of its own and served only as an oversight agency for other health and human service agencies. Eliminating the requirement to submit the coordinated strategic plan for health and human services would improve operational efficiency, reduce staff burden, and allow staff to focus on the HHSC and DSHS strategic plans. S.B. 956 repeals the requirement for HHSC to submit a coordinated strategic plan for health and human services.

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

S.B. 956 repeals Government Code provisions requiring the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to develop a coordinated, six-year strategic plan for health and human services in Texas and to update the plan biennially.

S.B. 956 amends the Government Code, Health and Safety Code, and Human Resources Code to make conforming changes.

S.B. 956 repeals Section 531.022, Government Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.