SRC-JRN H.B. 3428 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3428
By: Naishtat (Moncrief)
Health & Human Services
5-16-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 includes provisions that allow states the
option to waive certain requirements for welfare recipients who are
victims of family violence.  In implementing welfare-to-work programs,
other states have found that welfare recipients who are family violence
victims have difficulty succeeding in education and employment, and must
be given exceptions to requirements in order to succeed.  This bill
assists victims of family violence in making a successful transition from
welfare to work without increasing risks to their safety. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3428 assists victims of family violence in making a
successful transition from welfare to work without increasing risks to
their safety. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Department of Human Services, the
Texas Workforce Commission, and the Title IV-D agency in SECTION 1
(Section 31.0321, Human Resources Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 31B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
31.0321, as follows: 

Sec. 31.0321. VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.  Requires the Department of
Human Services (department), the Texas Workforce Commission (commission),
and the Title IV-D agency (agency), by rule, to adopt procedures under
which requirements relating to financial assistance and related services
may be waived or modified for an individual who is a victim of family
violence, if the requirements would adversely affect the victim in certain
ways. Sets forth provisions the procedures must provide.  Prohibits the
department, commission, and agency from denying an individual access to
certain services because the individual is a victim of family violence.
Requires the department to coordinate the development and implementation
of procedures under this section in collaboration with the commission, the
agency, and at least one statewide advocacy group for victims of family
violence.  Defines "family violence" and "Title IV-D agency." 

SECTION 2. Requires the department to conduct a study for certain purposes
using existing department funds.  Defines "Title IV-D agency." 

SECTION 3. Sets forth the reporting requirements of the department,
commission, and agency. 

SECTION 4. Sets forth the authorization for the department or other state
agency to request a waiver to delay implementing provisions of this Act,
if certain determinations are made. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.