Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3428 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas Department of Human Services, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Title IV-D agency charged with child support enforcement to adopt procedures whereby requirements for receiving public assistance may be waived or modified for an individual who is a victim of family violence. The procedure would be required if application of the standard requirements would adversely affect the individual's ability to attain financial independence, make it more difficult for the individual to escape family violence, or place the individual at greater risk for additional family violence. The agencies are prohibited from denying services because an individual is a victim of family violence, and the department is required to coordinate the development and implementation of the procedures in collaboration with the commission, the Title IV-D agency, and at least one statewide advocacy group for victims of family violence. The department is required to conduct a study to develop a process or instrument to be used by the agencies in identifying pertinent characteristics of individuals who are victims of family violence and to identify services that provide the greatest assistance to such individuals.