BILL ANALYSIS



S.C.R. 15
By: Moncrief et al (S. Thompson)
04-19-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

     A national toll-free hotline was set up for battered women in
1988 and was receiving 10,000 calls per month.  In 1992 it was
terminated because of lack of funds.  In 1994, Congress authorized
funds to be used for grants to re-establish the toll-free hotlines
for victims of domestic violence.  

     The Texas Council on Family Violence, under contract with the
Dept. of Human Services to manage domestic violence programs in
Texas, has been preparing grant requests to obtain both private and
public funds to establish such a hotline.  More than $200,000 in
private donations has already been raised to help reestablish the
hotline. 


PURPOSE

     S.C.R. 15 recognizes the work of the Texas Council on Family
Violence and resolves to set up the toll-free hotline for victims
of domestic violence.  S.C.R. 15 also petitions the U.S. Secretary
of Health and Human Services to award to the Texas Council on
Family Violence funds from the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Grant.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

     It is the committee's opinion that S.C.R. 15 does not
expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency or institution.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

     On April 3, 1995, the Human Services Committee convened in a
public hearing and the Chairman laid out S.C.R. 15 and asked Rep.
Thompson to explain the bill.  The following witness testified for
S.C.R. 15:  Cyndy Perkins, Texas Council on Family Violence.  No
one testified against or neutral on S.C.R. 15 and the bill was left
pending.

     In a formal meeting on April 19, 1995, the committee took up
S.C.R. 15 which had been pending.  Rep. Jones moved to adopt the
resolution without amendment; Rep. Davila seconded the motion.  The
motion prevailed by a record vote of 9 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV and 0
Absent.