BILL ANALYSIS
HUMAN SERVICES
H.B. 2126 
By: Maxey 
3-24-97

BACKGROUND

The Department of Human Services currently has an evaluation team 
that conducts research on 
the department's programs.  Unlike other state entities such as 
the Texas Education Agency, the 
department is not required to conduct this type of research.  
Currently, the existence of the 
research department is at the discretion of the commissioner of 
the agency. There have been a 
number of instances where the evaluation unit was dissolved, most 
recently in 1989.  The current 
unit was established in 1992.  Re-creating the evaluation unit is 
a time consuming process that 
could be avoided if the department were required to maintain the 
unit at all times.  

This bill would require the department to continually conduct 
research on the programs 
implemented by the department.  In order to develop programs that 
are effective and efficient, it 
is essential to maintain an on-going research effort.  
Information on programs is used by 
managers to determine the future direction of the programs.  In 
addition, the unit gathers 
information that is not routinely available through other sources 
and provides qualified 
individuals to design and maintain evaluation contracts that are 
arranged with outside 
organizations.  There is no additional cost associated with this 
legislation due to the fact that the 
department is already operating a research and evaluation team.  
This legislation would simply 
ensure that this important task continues.


PURPOSE

This legislation directs the the Department of Human Services to 
conduct research to evaluate 
their programs and use that information to improve their programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly 
grant any additional rule making 
authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1.   Amends Chapter 22, Human Resources Code, by adding 
Section 22.0015. Directs the 
       department to conduct research to evaluate its programs.

Section 2.   Directs the department to report the results of 
their evaluation and program         
       improvements no later than January 15, 1999.

Section 3.   This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

Section 4.   Emergency clause.