CLC S.B. 412 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HUMAN SERVICES
S.B. 412
By: Zaffirini (Maxey)
5-6-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, the law provides for federal matching funds to pay many of the
state's foster care program administrative costs. Many states, including
Texas, are not always reimbursed for their administrative costs in cases
in which the children do not ultimately enter foster care. In fiscal year
1995 Texas received more than $50 million from the federal government in
reimbursement funds. This bill directs the Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services to maximize federal reimbursement funds for certain
foster care program costs and to maximize the amount of federal funds
received under Titles XIX and IV-E of the Social Security Act. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 412 requires the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services to maximize federal reimbursement funds for certain foster care
program costs and to maximize the amount of federal funds received under
Titles XIX and IV-E of the Social Security Act. 

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 Chapter 40C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
40.0563, as follows: 

Sec. 40.0563. FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR FOSTER CARE COSTS. Requires the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to work with the Health
and Human Services Commission to develop methods to maximize the amount of
federal reimbursement funds received under: Title IV-E, Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. Section 670 et seq), for administering the foster care
program and providing child care in for-profit facilities; and Title XIX,
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396 et seq.).   

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.