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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the effectiveness of state-funded homelessness |
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programs at helping beneficiaries advance toward self-sufficiency. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 2306, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 2306.084 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.084. STATEWIDE HOMELESSNESS SERVICES AUDIT. (a) |
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In 2024 and every second year after that year, the state auditor |
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shall conduct and effectiveness and efficiency audit of all |
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services for the homeless provided by agencies of this state. |
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(b) The cost of the audit shall be paid for using existing |
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resources allocated for the purpose of auditing the agencies |
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identified in subsection (g). |
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(c) Not later than March 1 of the year in which an audit is |
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required under this section, the state auditor shall engage an |
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external auditor to conduct the audit. |
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(d) The state auditor shall oversee the external auditor and |
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ensure that the audit is conducted in accordance with the |
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requirements of this section. |
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(e) The external auditor shall be independent and not |
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subject to direction from any state agency subject to evaluation by |
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the auditor for purposes of this section. |
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(f) The audit shall: |
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(1) examine all state resources, including but not |
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limited to financial resources, manpower, and infrastructure used |
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in providing services to the homeless; |
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(2) assess the effectiveness of state agencies, |
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programs, and community service providers receiving state funds at |
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helping the homeless achieve self-sufficiency, including the |
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following outcomes: |
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(A) the percentage of beneficiaries who secure |
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and maintain housing for which they are the primary payer; |
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(B) the percentage of beneficiaries whose |
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children regularly attend school or other educational programs; |
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(C) the percentage of beneficiaries who |
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participate in at least 20 hours per week of paid public or private |
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sector work, including paid apprenticeships; |
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(D) the percentage of beneficiaries engaged in |
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occupational or vocational training programs; |
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(E) the percentage of beneficiaries who move from |
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subsidized income to earned income as a primary source of earnings; |
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(F) the percentage of beneficiaries who have |
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regular visits with a primary care physician; |
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(G) the percentage of beneficiaries with mental |
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health needs who engage in regular mental health care services; |
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(H) the percentage of beneficiaries with |
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addiction or substance use disorder who engage in regular treatment |
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services; and |
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(I) the percentage of beneficiaries without |
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involvement with the criminal justice system. |
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(3) rate each agency, program, and community service |
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provider reviewed as "unsatisfactory," "satisfactory," or |
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"exemplary" based on their effectiveness at achieving the outcomes |
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under subsection (f)(2); |
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(4) make recommendations for: |
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(A) eliminating poorly performing programs; |
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(B) ending contractual or funding relationships |
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with poorly performing community service providers; |
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(C) consolidating duplicative or overlapping |
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services and functions; and |
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(D) reallocating state resources to ensure that |
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the outcomes under subsection (f)(2) are achieved in the most |
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effective and economical manner. |
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(g) The following agencies must be included in the audit: |
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(1) Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; |
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(2) Texas Health and Human Services Commission; |
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(3) Texas Department of Family and Protective |
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Services; |
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(4) Texas Education Agency; |
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(5) Texas Workforce Commission; |
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(6) Texas Veterans Commission; and |
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(7) Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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(h) The state auditor may select other agencies or programs |
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in addition to those listed in subsection (g) for inclusion in the |
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audit. |
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(i) The external auditor must complete the audit not later |
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than the 90th day after the date the auditor is engaged and present |
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its results and recommendations to the state auditor and the heads |
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of the agencies subject to the audit. |
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(j) Not later than November 1 of the calendar year in which |
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an audit is completed, the state auditor shall prepare and submit a |
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report of the audit and recommendations for improvement to the |
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governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the |
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Lieutenant Governor, and the Legislative Budget Board. |
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(k) The full audit and state auditor's report must be |
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published to the state auditor's Internet website. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |