SRC-MKV, MWN S.B. 45 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 45
77R540 CBH-DBy: Zaffirini
Health and Human Services
2/12/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

As proposed, S.B. 45 directs the Department of Human Services, the Health
and Human Services Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission to adopt
rules prescribing what constitutes a hardship that would warrant an
exception to the imposition of time-limited benefits. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Human
Services, the Health and Human Services Commission, and  the Texas
Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 31.0065, Human Resources Code)
of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.0065, Human Resources Code, by amending
Subsections (a), (e), and (f) and adding subsection (g) to authorize the
Texas Department of Human Services  (department) to provide financial
assistance under this chapter only in accordance with the time limits
specified by this section. Authorizes the department, in accordance with
federal law, to provide for exceptions to these time limits for reasons of
hardship, rather than severe personal hardship or community economic
factors preventing the recipient form obtaining employment, or if the state
is unable to provide support services. Deletes text regarding establishing
criteria that constitutes severe personal hardship. Deletes text regarding
economic and employment conditions. Requires the department, the Health and
Human Services Commission, and Texas Workforce Commission to jointly adopt
rules prescribing what constitutes a hardship under Subsection (a) that
would warrant an exception to the imposition of time-limited benefits. 

SECTION 2. Requires that, if before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal
agency is necessary for implementation, the state agency request the waiver
or authorization and authorizes the delay of implementation of that
provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.
Provides that this Act applies to a person receiving financial assistance
on or after the effective date regardless of the date on which the person
began receiving that financial assistance.