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.