SRC-JXG H.B. 3470 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3470
76R13412 KKA-FBy: Olivo (Zaffirini)
Human Services
5/12/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The State of Maine created the Parents as Scholars Program (PSP) to assist
low-income parents who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
in obtaining a post-secondary degree.  No incentive programs such as PSP
currently exists in Texas.  H.B. 3470 would require the Texas Department of
Human Services to establish a student financial aid pilot program entitled
Parents as Scholars pilot program, under which a person eligible for
financial assistance receives, in lieu of financial assistance, a package
of benefits designed to assist the person in obtaining a post-secondary
degree from an institution of higher education.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3470 establishes the Parents as Scholars pilot program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Department of Human Services
in SECTION 1 (Sections 31.045(a), (b), and (d), Human Resources Code) of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

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

Sec. 31.045.  PARENTS AS SCHOLARS PILOT PROGRAM.  (a) Requires the Texas
Department of Human Services (DHS), by rule, to establish a student
financial aid pilot program to be entitled  the Parents as Scholars pilot
program, subject to available funding. Requires a person eligible for
financial assistance who participates in the program to receive, in lieu of
financial assistance, a package of benefits designed to assist the person
in obtaining a post-secondary degree from an institution of higher
education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.  Authorizes the
benefits provided to include assistance with payment of tuition and fees,
payment of the cost of textbooks and other educational supplies, and
payment of other costs associated with enrollment in the institution.  

(b) Authorizes DHS, by rule, to establish eligibility criteria for the
program.  Sets forth the criteria requirements. 

(c) Provides that a program participant is eligible for medical assistance
under Chapter 32 and support services under Section 31.010 in the same
manner as a person receiving financial assistance.  
   
(d) Requires DHS, by rule, to establish time limits and other conditions
applicable to a program participant, provided that DHS may not provide
assistance to a program participant for more than 48 months, and DHS must
require a program participant to demonstrate satisfactory educational
progress to remain eligible for assistance. 

(e) Requires DHS to fund the program from state funds specifically
appropriated for that purpose or from other state funds otherwise available
to DHS for the program.  Authorizes DHS to accept gifts and grants from
public or private sources to be used to fund the program. Requires DHS to
establish and administer the program in such a manner that money spent
under the program is included in determining the state's compliance with
federal maintenance of effort requirements under Title IVA, Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. Section 601 et seq.). 

(f) Requires DHS to submit to the legislature, a report relating to the
program established under the section, no later than January 15, 2003.
Requires the report to include an evaluation of the program's effectiveness
in improving employability of persons eligible for Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) benefits, and recommendations from DHS concerning
termination, continuation, or expansion of the program. 

 (g) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003.

SECTION 2. Requires the state agency to request the waiver or authorization
and to delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization
is granted, if before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency
determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is
necessary for implementation. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.