H.B. 3124 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 3124
By: Truitt
Human Services
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (Commission) offers
numerous rehabilitative programs to assist persons to rejoin the
workforce.  The current budget shortfall, however, is endangering some of
the services the Commission offers and the amount of federal dollars it is
able to draw down.  By combining some state dollars and the programs,
those dollars fund under one larger program, the Commission will be able
to continue to draw down federal dollars and still offer those specific
services.  House Bill 3124 authorizes the Commission to transfer the
provision of transition planning into the agency's vocational
rehabilitation program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant
any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department,
agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3124 amends the Human Resources Code by striking references to
the extended rehabilitation services program and adds provisions for
transition planning services within the vocational rehabilitation program. 

The bill repeals Sections 111.002(7), 111.0525(a), and 111.073 of the
Human Resources Code. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.