SRC-MKV S.B. 875 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 875
77R6327 KKA-DBy: West, Royce
Health & Human Services
3/30/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

As proposed, S.B. 875 adds to the state's strategic plan for health and
human services the goal that the plan encourage full participation of
fathers in programs and services relating to children.  The bill also
requires the Health and Human Services Commission, the attorney general,
and each health and human services agency to examine those entities'
policies and procedures to determine if they deter or encourage father
involvement, and if needed, modify the policies to encourage fathers to
fully participate in the services and programs relating to their children. 

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 531.022(c), Government Code, to add language to
require the coordinated strategic plan for health and human services to
include the encouragement of full participation of fathers in programs and
services relating to children. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section
531.055, as follows: 

Sec. 531.055.  PARTICIPATION BY FATHERS.  (a) Requires the Health and Human
Services Commission (commission) and each health and human services agency
to periodically examine commission or agency policies and procedures to
determine if the policies and procedures deter or encourage participation
of fathers in commission or agency programs sand services relating to
children. 

(b) Requires the commission and each health and human services agency,
based on the examination required under Subsection (a), to modify policies
and procedures as necessary to permit full participation of fathers in
commission or agency programs and services relating to children in all
appropriate circumstances. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 402B, Government Code, by adding Section
402.030, as follows: 

Sec. 402.030.  PARTICIPATION BY FATHERS.  (a) Requires the attorney general
to periodically examine office policies and procedures to determine if the
policies and procedures deter or encourage participation of fathers in
functions performed by the attorney general relating to children. 

(b) Requires the attorney general, based on the examination required under
Subsection (a), to modify policies and procedures as necessary to permit
full participation of fathers in functions performed by the attorney
general relating to children in all appropriate circumstances. 

 SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.