BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2718

By: Parker

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Breaking the cycle of poverty can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Interested parties have noted the willingness of nonprofit faith-based and community-based organizations to work alongside state agencies to provide assistance to those in need, whether that be through job training, monetary compensation, or some other form of assistance. C.S.H.B. 2718 aims to further facilitate these connections between state entities and private organizations.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2718 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a program under which faith-based and community-based organizations may, on the request of the applicant, contact and offer supplemental assistance to an applicant for benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Medicaid, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, or the child health plan program. The bill requires a person to be informed about the program and given the opportunity to enroll at the time of application for the described benefits. The bill requires HHSC to develop a procedure under which faith-based and community-based organizations may apply to participate in the program and requires the executive commissioner of HHSC, as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, to adopt rules to implement the program, including rules that describe the types of faith-based and community-based organizations that may apply to participate in the program, that facilitate contact between a person who enrolls in the program and a faith-based and community-based organization participating in the program that provides supplemental services that may be of assistance to the person, and that permit a person enrolled in the program to terminate the person's enrollment in the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2016.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2718 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.02482 to read as follows: Sec. 531.02482.  FAITH- AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN PERSONS RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.  (a) In this section, "community-based organization" and "faith-based organization" have the meanings assigned by Section 535.001. (b)  The commission shall establish a program under which faith- and community-based organizations may contact and offer supplemental assistance to persons applying for benefits under: (1)  the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code; (2)  the medical assistance program under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code; and (3)  the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code. (c)  A person must be informed about the program and given the opportunity to enroll at the time of application for benefits described by Subsection (b). (d)  The commission shall develop a procedure under which faith- and community-based organizations may apply to participate in the program. (e)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to implement the program established under this section, including rules that: (1)  describe the types of faith- and community-based organizations that may apply to participate in the program; (2)  facilitate contact between a person who enrolls in the program and a faith- and community-based organization participating in the program that provides supplemental services that may be of assistance to the person; and (3)  permit a person enrolled in the program established under this section to terminate the person's enrollment in the program.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.02482 to read as follows: Sec. 531.02482.  FAITH- AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN PERSONS RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.  (a) In this section, "community-based organization" and "faith-based organization" have the meanings assigned by Section 535.001. (b)  The commission shall establish a program under which faith- and community-based organizations may, on the request of the applicant, contact and offer supplemental assistance to an applicant for benefits under: (1)  the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code; (2)  the medical assistance program under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code; (3)  the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code; or (4)  the child health plan program under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code. (c)  A person must be informed about the program and given the opportunity to enroll at the time of application for benefits described by Subsection (b). (d)  The commission shall develop a procedure under which faith- and community-based organizations may apply to participate in the program. (e)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to implement the program established under this section, including rules that: (1)  describe the types of faith- and community-based organizations that may apply to participate in the program; (2)  facilitate contact between a person who enrolls in the program and a faith- and community-based organization participating in the program that provides supplemental services that may be of assistance to the person; and (3)  permit a person enrolled in the program established under this section to terminate the person's enrollment in the program.
SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2016.