HBA-AMW S.B. 875 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 875 By: West, Royce Human Services 4/23/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, the encouragement of full participation of fathers in programs and services relating to children is not included in the goals of the state's coordinated strategic plan for health and human services (plan). Senate Bill 875 adds the encouragement of full participation of fathers in programs and services relating to children to the goals of the state's plan and requires the Health and Human Services Commission, the attorney general, and each health and human services agency to examine, and if needed, modify policies and procedures to encourage full participation of fathers in programs, services, or functions relating to children. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 875 amends the Government Code to add to the state's coordinated strategic plan for health and human services the goal that the plan encourage the full participation of fathers in programs and services relating to children. The bill requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), each health and human services agency (agency), and the attorney general to periodically examine policies and procedures to determine if the policies and procedures deter or encourage participation of fathers in programs and services relating to children. Based on the examination, the bill requires HHSC, each agency, and the attorney general to modify policies and procedures as necessary to permit full participation of fathers in all appropriate circumstances. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.