SRC-MKV H.B. 1006 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1006 By: Naishtat (Zaffirini) Health & Human Services 5/4/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE In 1995, the 74th Texas Legislature passed welfare reform. When Congress passed federal welfare reform regulations the next year, Texas was allowed to take advantage of a waiver option authorizing a delay in implementing some federal provisions. This waiver expires in March 2002, and there are some advisable conforming changes to state law in anticipation of that expiration. H.B. 1006 sets forth exemptions from work requirements for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and directs the Texas Department of Human Services, the Texas Workforce Commission, and local workforce development boards to develop a plan to provide employment outreach services to those exempted. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.012, Human Resources Code, as follows: Sec. 31.012. MANDATORY WORK OR PARTICIPATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM. (a) Adds language relating to an exception as provided by this section. (b) Provides that for purposes of Subsection (a)(1), "work" includes self-employment activities. (c) Provides that Subsection (a) does not apply to certain persons. (d) Requires the Texas Department of Human Services (department), the Texas Workforce Commission (commission), and the local workforce development boards to develop plans for providing outreach services to assist persons exempt under Subsections (c)(1)-(4) from the requirements of this section in becoming selfsupporting. Requires the plans to include procedures under which the department provides relevant information regarding the exempted persons, including contract information, to the commission and the local workforce development boards. Requires the outreach services provided under the plans to include certain provisions. (e) Adds language to require the criteria for good cause noncompliance to provide for certain exceptions, in addition to any other criteria established by the department. (f) Requires the commission and local workforce development boards to work diligently with a person excepted for good cause from work or employment activities under Subsection (e) to remedy the circumstances that constitute good cause so that the person can become self-supporting. (g) Deletes language relating to a person who is a caretaker of a physically or mentally disabled child who requires the caretaker's presence being not required to participate in a program under this section. Makes a conforming change. (h)-(j) Redesignated from Subsections (d)-(f). SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.0035(b), Human Resources Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 31.0065(d), Human Resources Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 32.0255(b), Human Resources Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 5. (a) Requires each local workforce development board to carry out certain duties. (b) Requires the Texas Workforce Commission, not later than December 1, 2003, to submit a report to the legislature that contains certain information. SECTION 6. Requires a state agency affected by a provision of this Act to request a waiver or authorization and authorizes the agency to delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted, if the agency determines before implementing any provision of this Act that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary. SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.