79R7135 RMB-D
By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 984
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a feasibility study regarding the provision of
financial incentives to individuals who undergo training for child
protective services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Health and human services agencies" has the
meaning assigned by Section 531.001, Government Code.
(3) "Training for child protective services" means
training administered by a state agency or an institution of higher
education that is provided to individuals working or interested in
working in the field of child protective services and that is
intended to assist the individuals in performing that work more
effectively or efficiently.
(b) The commission shall study the feasibility of providing
a financial incentive to individuals to assist the individuals in
receiving training for child protective services.
(c) The study must:
(1) consider the feasibility of creating a private
foundation to solicit and receive money that will be used to assist
those individuals;
(2) consider possible means of providing a financial
incentive, including educational or living stipends or
reimbursement of tuition costs, to assist those individuals and
determine the most effective means to deliver the incentives;
(3) suggest criteria that those individuals must meet
to receive the financial incentives;
(4) estimate the initial cost and annual cost to this
state of providing the financial incentives to those individuals;
and
(5) estimate the savings and costs associated with
improved training of those individuals that may result from
providing the financial incentives.
(d) In conducting the study under Subsection (b) of this
section, the commission may cooperate as necessary with any
appropriate state agency.
(e) Not later than September 1, 2006, the commission shall
report the results of the study to the standing committees of the
senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over
health and human services programs or appropriations.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.