BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 400

By: Shapiro

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In Texas, more than 9,200 child-care providers reportedly care for more than 1.5 million young children daily.  While research emphasizes the importance of the quality of this care, elements that produce positive outcomes, such as qualified caregivers and small group sizes, are costly.  Many providers face the challenge of how to provide quality care while not pricing themselves or parents out of the market, and they have few options for holding down costs.

Currently, local governments, mental health and mental retardation community centers, and certain assistance organizations have access to the Texas procurement and support services cooperative purchasing program administered by the comptroller. Giving child-care providers who participate in the Texas Rising Star Provider program access to the cooperative purchasing program could help participating providers save money on consumable supplies and technology and enable them to afford elements that produce positive outcomes for children.

S.B. 400 seeks to help mitigate the high cost of quality childcare by including providers who meet Texas Rising Star Provider criteria among the entities eligible to use the cooperative purchasing program. 

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

S.B. 400 amends the Government Code to include a child-care provider that meets the Texas Rising Star Provider criteria described by Texas Workforce Commission rules among the entities eligible to purchase goods and services through the comptroller of public accounts. The bill makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.