SRC-SLL H.B. 1914 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1914 By: Wise (Lucio) Jurisprudence 5-17-97 Engrossed DIGEST Educating children, families, and professionals about abduction, sexual exploitation, and child abuse is helpful in reducing crime against children. A basic understanding of the unique particulars of cases involving child abuse, child sexual assault, incest, and abduction is critical to the successful processing of these cases through the social services, criminal justice, and legal systems. This bill will provide regulations regarding the powers and duties of the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1914 provides regulations regarding the powers and duties of the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 74, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 74.004, as follows: Sec. 74.004. EARLY PARENTING SKILLS PROGRAMS. Authorizes the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council (council), subject to availability of funds, to provide grants for voluntary, community-based, early parenting skills programs in at least three different geographic areas of this state. Requires an early parenting skills program, to be eligible for a grant, to serve expectant parents and families with one or more children three years of age or younger. Authorizes the programs to take certain actions. Requires the council to review the programs periodically to ensure that program instruction and materials are not racially, culturally, or sexually biased. Requires the funded programs to cooperate with schools and other social services programs to avoid duplication of services. SECTION 2. Sets forth regulations regarding a report on the extent to which training on child abuse and neglect is provided in this state to be prepared by the council. Requires the council, not later than December 1, 1998, to submit the report to certain persons. Requires the council to provide the report to any member of the legislature on request. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.