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.