AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, funding appropriated to the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) has to go through the procurement process at the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
This bill expedites the release of funds for family violence services by directing money, appropriated by the legislature for TCFV, to the Family Violence Program at HHSC.
As proposed, S.B. 59 amends current law relating to exempting the procurement of services for victims of family violence from competitive bidding requirements.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 2155, Government Code, by adding Section 2155.1443, as follows:
Sec. 2155.1443. EXEMPTION FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY FAMILY VIOLENCE CENTER OR FAMILY VIOLENCE SPECIAL PROJECT. (a) Provides that the competitive bidding provisions of this chapter do not apply to a state purchase of services that meets the specifications for services prescribed by Section 51.005 (Contract Specifications), Human Resources Code, and provided by a family violence center, as that term is defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources Code, or a family violence special project, as that term is defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources Code.
(b) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to procure services for victims of family violence as provided by Chapter 51 (Family Violence Centers), Human Resources Code, in consultation with a statewide family violence organization and in a manner consistent with the plan for delivering family violence services under Section 51.0021 (Family Violence Services Plan), Human Resources Code.
SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 51.004, Human Resources Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 51.004. CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY.
SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 51.004(e) (relating to the use of a noncompetitive procurement procedure for eligible family violence centers), Human Resources Code.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.