BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 304

82R1671 CJC-D

By: Nichols

 

Health & Human Services

 

2/14/2011

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Individuals who receive indigent care services from a hospital district or public hospital may have employment needs that are unmet.

 

S.B. 304 gives hospital districts and public hospitals the option to include participation in employment-locating services as a condition for receiving indigent care services.

 

S.B. 304 allows hospital districts and public hospitals to adopt an employment services program consistent with Chapter 31 (Financial Assistance and Service Programs), Human Resources Code, which includes the requirement that Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and other state program participants actively seek employment as a condition for receiving those benefits, which will help shorten the time in which individuals are unemployed and receiving indigent care services.

 

As proposed, S.B. 304 amends current law relating to employment services programs for certain residents receiving services from public hospitals or hospital districts.

 

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 C, Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 61.067, as follows:

 

Sec. 61.067. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) Authorizes a public hospital or hospital district to establish procedures consistent with those used by the Health and Human Services Commission under Chapter 31 (Financial Assistance and Service Programs), Human Resources Code, for administering an employment services program and requiring an applicant or eligible residents to register for work with the Texas Workforce Commission.

 

(b) Requires the public hospital or hospital district to notify each person with a pending application and all eligible residents of the requirements of the employment services program not less than 30 days before the program is established.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.