SRC-TJG, VRA S.B. 1065 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1065
By: Shapiro
Health & Human Services
8/14/2003
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the turnover rate for Child Protective Services (CPS)
caseworkers is steadily increasing. Caps on full-time employees prevented
the CPS training academy from enrolling enough trainees to fill vacant
positions since trainees count toward the full-time employee cap.  S.B.
1065 requires the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to
implement a pilot program to assist target regions in increasing the
enrollment of CPS caseworkers. 

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.  DEFINITIONS. Defines  "caseworker," "department," "target
region," and "target training academy." 
  
SECTION 2.  PILOT PROJECT.  Requires the Texas Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services (DPRS), subject to available funding, to implement
a pilot project to assist a target region in continuing to accomplish the
goals of the pilot project under Chapter 607, Acts of the 77th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001. 

SECTION 3.  DEPARTMENT DUTIES. Requires DPRS, in implementing the pilot
project under this Act, to perform certain tasks. 

SECTION 4.  REPORT. Requires DPRS, not later than December 31, 2004, to
submit a report to the legislature regarding the effect of the pilot
project under this Act on the retention of caseworkers in each target
region in which the pilot project under this Act is implemented.  Requires
the report to include an assessment of the continuing need for the pilot
project and a recommendation on whether the project should be continued.
Requires the legislature to consider the report in considering additional
legislation to address the need of certain regions of the state for child
protective services caseworkers. 

SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2003.

SECTION 6.  EXPIRATION DATE. Provides that this Act expires September 1,
2005.