SRC-JJJ, PNG H.B. 3333 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3333
By: Tillery (Cain)
Economic Development
5/9/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, local workforce development boards (boards) receive state and
federal funds to provide child-care assistance to low-income families.
Local child care providers are reimbursed for the provision of this care at
a rate determined by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).  H.B. 3333 would
require each of the state's boards to establish graduated reimbursement
rates for child care based on the TWC's designated vendor program
(program).  Specifically, the bill provides that the minimum reimbursement
rate must be 80 percent for a facility that participates in the program and
75 percent for a facility that does not  participate in the program.  This
bill would also require that each board allocate a portion of their federal
child care funds for registered family homes that provide care for children
under four years of age. 
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3333 provides for differential reimbursement rates for
child care and funding of a competitive procurement system for children
under the age of four in certain registered family homes. 

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 2308G, Government Code, by adding Sections
2308.315 and 2308.316, as follows: 

Sec.  2308.315.  REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR CHILD CARE.  Requires each local
workforce development board (board) to establish graduated reimbursement
rates for child care based on the Texas Workforce Commission's designated
vendor program.  Requires that the minimum reimbursement rate be 80 percent
of the local rate based on a current market survey.  Requires that the
vendor program be voluntary and have standards related to the accreditation
and certification held by the vendor.  Requires the minimum reimbursement
rate for a facility that does not participate in the voluntary designated
vendor program to be at least 75 percent of the local rate based on a
current market survey. 

Sec.  2308.316.  FUNDING OF COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM FOR INFANT AND
TODDLER CHILD CARE.  Requires each board to allocate a portion of its
federal child care development funds to a competitive procurement system
that encourages the provision of child care for children under four years
of age in registered family homes that satisfies certain specified
conditions. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.