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.