BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1462

                                                                                                                    By: Pickett et al. (Uresti)

                                                                                                                                    Administration

                                                                                                                                            5/17/2009

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, the number of court appointed special advocates (CASA) is insufficient to meet the needs of the children entering the foster care system in Texas.  In order to promote advocacy on behalf of these children in the foster care system, H.B. 1462 authorizes state employees to be granted leave, not to exceed five hours each month, to become a CASA volunteer.

 

H.B. 1462 authorizes a state employee to be granted leave, not to exceed five hours each month, to participate in mandatory training or perform volunteer services for CASA.

 

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 Subchapter Z, Chapter 661, Government Code, by adding Section 661.921, as follows:

 

Sec.  661.921.  COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES VOLUNTEER.  (a)  Authorizes a state employee to be granted leave not to exceed five hours each month to participate in mandatory training or perform volunteer services for Court Appointed Special Advocates without a deduction in salary or loss of vacation time, sick leave, earned overtime credit, or state compensatory time.  Provides that this section does not apply to an employee of the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

 

(b)  Prohibits a state employee from being granted leave under Subsection (a) unless the employee obtains approval from the employee's supervisor before taking the leave.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.