SRC-MKV H.B. 2543 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2543 77R10894 KLA-FBy: Naishtat (Duncan) Health & Human Services 5/4/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Severe antisocial behavior in children such as frequent fighting, stealing, and vandalism are the strongest predictors of chronic delinquency. It has been proposed that early childhood interventions may help prevent chronic delinquency. Good parenting and nurturing families are essential to effective interventions in the lives of children with severe behavioral problems. Today, however, families may face difficult challenges such as both parents working, the loss of extended family support, marital discord, and divorce. H.B. 2543 establishes a pilot program to provide integrated family services for families with young children who exhibit severe behavioral problems in a child-care environment. 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 Chapter 40C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 40.071, as follows: Sec. 40.071. CHILD-CARE INTERVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Human Services (department), subject to available funding, to develop and implement a pilot program under which the department awards grants to or contracts with community-based organizations experienced in parenting skills training to provide child-care intervention services to certain persons and entities. (b) Requires an organization awarded a grant or with which the department contracts under the pilot program to carry out certain duties. (c) Requires child-care intervention services provided by an organization awarded a grant or with which the department contracts under the pilot program to include certain services. (d) Requires that not later than December 1, 2002, the department submit to the legislature a report concerning the effectiveness of the pilot program. (e) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.