SRC-CTC S.B. 44 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 44
77R774 CBH-DBy: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
1/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there are barriers and confusion for clients who may be eligible
for public assistance. Review of the interactions, communications, forms
and procedures clients must go through in qualifying and applying for
public assistance is needed to make assistance programs more accessible and
supportive of clients seeking services.  As proposed, S.B. 44 creates a
work group on office standards to assist the Texas Department of Human
Services by reviewing and recommending changes to the processes of client
eligibility, application, and review. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill expressly grants rulemaking authority to the Texas Board of Human
Services in SECTION 1 (Section 22.037, Human Resources Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 22, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
22.037, as follows: 

Sec. 22.037. WORK GROUP ON OFFICE STANDARDS.  Creates a work group on
office standards to assist the Texas Department of Human Services
(department) in improving the eligibility, application, and review
processes of food stamp and financial and medical assistance programs
(programs).  Requires the commissioner of human services (commissioner) to
appoint members of the work group to include balanced representation from
certain constituencies, who serve at the will of the commissioner.
Requires the department to provide staff and administrative support to the
work group.  Requires that the commissioner appoint a member to serve as
the presiding officer who can call the work group to meet.  Requires the
work group to undertake certain activities in its study and make
recommendations of improvements to the department. Requires the work group
to file annual reports of its findings and recommendations to the Texas
Board of Human Services (board).  Requires the board to evaluate and
consider the work group's recommendations and adopt rules to make
improvements in the department's processes regarding the programs.
Requires the department to file an annual report with the governor and
legislature that details the recommendations of the work group and the
subsequent actions taken by the department.  Authorizes the department to
include the report with the report required by Section 21.011(a).  Exempts
the work group from Chapter 2110 (State Advisory Committees), Government
Code, except for Section 2110.008 (Duration of Advisory Committees),
Government Code. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.