SRC-DPW C.S.S.B. 1574 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1574 By: West Human Services 3/31/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, over 1.3 million Texas youths are estimated to be at increased risk of delinquent activities due to the effects of poverty, prenatal substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, or parents ill-equipped for the responsibilities of raising a child. Current prevention and intervention efforts are often narrowly focused on specific risk factors and fragmented among several different agencies. This bill sets forth guidelines for the consolidation and administration of certain programs for at-risk children and their families. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1574 sets forth guidelines for the consolidation and administration of certain programs for at-risk children and their families. 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 40.002(b), Human Resources Code, to provide that the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS) has primary responsibility for implementing and managing programs intended to provide early intervention or prevent at-risk behaviors that lead to child abuse, delinquency, running away, truancy, and dropping out of school (childhood problems). SECTION 2. Amends Title 5E, Family Code, by adding Chapter 265, as follows: CHAPTER 265. PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 265.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "department," "division," and "prevention and early intervention services." Sec. 265.002. PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES DIVISION. Requires DPRS to operate a division to provide services for children and families of children in at-risk situations and to consolidate prevention and early intervention services within the jurisdiction of a single agency to duplication of services and increase accountability in the delivery of services. Requires the division of the DPRS to be named preventative and early intervention services division (PSD) and requires PSD to perform certain duties. Sec. 265.003. CONSOLIDATION OF PROGRAMS. Requires DPRS to consolidate into PSD programs aimed at providing early intervention or preventing at-risk behavior that leads to childhood problems. Authorizes PSD to provide additional prevention and early intervention services. SECTION 3. Provides that certain programs are transferred from certain agencies to DPRS to be administered by PSD on the effective date of this Act. Provides that all elements of an agency listed in Subsection (a) are transferred to DPRS on September 1, 1999. Provides that employees of the services for at-risk youth program and the community youth development grant program are transferred to PSD. Provides that the number of employees transferred to DPRS is not included in determining DPRS compliance with limitations on the number of full-time equivalent positions for the 1999 and 2000 state fiscal years. Provides that references to transferred agencies or executive officers listed in Subsection (a) mean DPRS or the executive director of DPRS. Provides that rules of agencies listed in Subsection (a) remain in effect until such rules are superseded by rules of DPRS. Provides that associated power from the transfer of powers does not affect any act done under former law. Provides that an action brought before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the action immediately before the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 40.002(b), Human Resources Code, to provide that DPRS has primary responsibility for implementing and managing programs intended to provide early intervention or prevent at-risk behaviors. SECTION 2. Amends the heading of Chapter 265, Title 5E, Family Code. Amends Section 265.001, Title 5E, Family Code, to redefine "division" and define "prevention and early intervention services." Amends Section 265.002, Title 5E, Family Code, to require DPRS to operate a division called the prevention and early intervention services division to achieve the consolidation of prevention and early intervention services. Makes conforming changes. Amends Section 265.003, Title 5E, Family Code, to require the DPRS to consolidate into PSD programs with the goal of providing early intervention or preventing at-risk behavior. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Makes conforming changes.