SRC-CDH C.S.S.B. 59 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 59
By:  Zaffirini
Health and Human Services
2-6-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Department of Human Services considers a client's
functional educational abilities based on the client's work history and
education level when imposing time-limited benefits. This bill requires
the use of a more in-depth assessment tool to evaluate a person's
functional assessment level for the purpose of determining whether that
person is eligible for benefits for 12, 24, or 36 months. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 59 sets forth guidelines for assessing certain
recipients of public assistance.  
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 Section 31.0065(f), Human Resources Code, to require the
Texas Department of Human Services (department), if the department is
imposing time-limited benefits on an individual, to consider the in-depth
assessment of the individual's need that was conducted by the department,
provided that if the needs assessment indicates discrepancies between a
client's selfreported educational level and the client's functional
abilities, the time limits are required to be based upon the functional
assessment level, rather than the functional educational level. 

SECTION 2. Requires a state agency to request a waiver or authorization
and authorizes an agency to delay implementing the relevant provision, if
before implementing any provision of Section 31.0065, Human Resources
Code, the state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation.   

SECTION 3. Effective date:  September 1, 1997. 
                     Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.    

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends SECTION 1, Section 31.0065, Human Resources Code, by amending
Subsection (f), to require the department, if the department is imposing
time-limited benefits on an individual, to consider the in-depth
assessment of the individual's need that was conducted by the department,
and to require the time limits to be based upon the client's functional
assessment level, rather than functional educational level, in certain
circumstances.  Deletes Subsection (g), the provision regarding a client
whose in-depth assessment indicates that the individual needs extensive
employment preparation.