BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2632

By: Patrick

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to census data and local needs assessment surveys, one in five older Texans in Tarrant County are socially isolated. Social isolation can lead to depression, substance abuse, dementia, and suicide, in addition to other health problems.

C.S.H.B. 2632 requires the Department of Aging and Disability Services to coordinate with area agencies on aging to establish demonstration projects that include a variety of volunteer opportunities to assist socially isolated elderly individuals.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2632 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Department of Aging and Disability Services, in coordination with area agencies on aging, to establish not more than three demonstration projects throughout Texas to identify and assist socially isolated elderly individuals, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated for that purpose.

C.S.H.B. 2632 requires a demonstration project to include a variety of volunteer opportunities to assist socially isolated elderly individuals, including transportation, minor home repair, shopping assistance, installation of wheelchair ramps, installation or management of safety equipment, yard maintenance, food bank pickup, household chores, visits by telephone and in person, meals, and information and referrals to services.  The bill requires the department, in establishing the demonstration projects, to consider the design of the Neighbor Helping Neighbor program developed in Tarrant County.

C.S.H.B. 2632 provides for the meaning of "area agency on aging."

C.S.H.B. 2632 requires a state agency that is affected by a provision of the bill to request a federal waiver or authorization if the agency determines that a waiver or authorization is necessary for the implementation of the provision, and it authorizes the agency to delay implementation until the federal waiver or authorization is obtained.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2632 differs from the original by decreasing from 10 to 3 the maximum number of demonstration projects required to be established by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, in coordination with area agencies on aging, and adding the clarification that the establishment of those projects is subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated for that purpose.