CLC H.B. 2678 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS

HUMAN SERVICES
H.B. 2678
By: Christian
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

One source of fraud in our welfare system today is that the system fails
to determine whether the person seeking welfare benefits for a child
actually has custody and financial responsibility of the child. Under
current law, there is no language requiring a person to provide proof that
he or she is financially responsibility for that child. 

PURPOSE

H.B. 2678 requires applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) to provide Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) with proof of
responsibility for each child for whom the applicant will receive
assistance. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

SECTION 1 of this bill grants rulemaking authority to the Texas Department
of Human Services. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.Amends Section 31.031, Human Resources Code, by adding
subsection (h), which states that the department shall require proof that
the applicant is the custodial parent or caretaker relative of each child
for whom the applicant seeks welfare benefits. 

SECTION 2.States that the change in law affects only those applicants who
apply for benefits after the effective date.  

SECTION 3.Effective Date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.