BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 131
                                                         By: West
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                         02-23-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DRPS),
Child Protective Services (CPS), and Adult Protective Services
often investigate child and elder abuse allegations in homes where
other forms of domestic violence are present.  Currently, CPS
workers have a check box on their investigation form for family
violence.  This information is not gathered for statistical
purposes, but is used to assess risk to the child and determine
what action is needed to protect the child.  If the domestic
violence is present, the abuser may be asked to leave the home.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B.131 grants rulemaking authority to the Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services regarding domestic violence.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services in SECTION
1 (Article 4413(503), Section 12, V.T.C.S.) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 12, Article 4413(503), V.T.C.S., by
adding Subsections (d) and (e), as follows:

     (d) Requires the Department of Protective and Regulatory
     Services (department) to adopt and implement rules requiring
     employees charged with investigation duties to document
     indications of domestic violence.  Authorizes the department
     to develop forms to facilitate the documentation process. 
     Requires the department to include statistical compilations of
     the information documented under this subsection in its annual
     report.
     
     (e)  Requires the department to adopt rules requiring written
     information concerning community services to be available in
     English and Spanish for victims of domestic violence. 
     Authorizes the department to coordinate its efforts under this
     subsection with local law enforcement agencies already
     providing such information.
      SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1995.  Sets forth a
deadline or adopting rules.

SECTION 3  Emergency clause.