By: West, Zaffirini S.B. No. 1641
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a pilot program to provide
  protective services to certain persons determined to be at risk of
  future harm from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 48, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 48.212 to read as follows:
         Sec. 48.212.  PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE SERVICES
  TO PERSONS AT RISK OF FUTURE HARM.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other
  law, including Section 48.002(a)(5), the department shall, using
  existing resources, develop and implement a pilot program that
  evaluates the feasibility and associated benefits of providing
  protective services when an elderly person or person with a
  disability has been determined, using criteria developed under
  Section 48.004, to be at risk of future harm from abuse, neglect, or
  exploitation, but who is not in a state of abuse, neglect, or
  exploitation. 
         (b)  Section 48.1523 does not apply to reports considered
  under the pilot program developed under this section. 
         (c)  The department may terminate the pilot program if the
  executive commissioner determines the termination is appropriate.  
  The pilot program terminates August 31, 2017, unless the program is
  terminated before that date in accordance with this subsection.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2019.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2016, the Department of
  Family and Protective Services shall develop and implement the
  pilot program required under Section 48.212, Human Resources Code,
  as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Not later than December 15, 2016, the
  Department of Family and Protective Services shall prepare and
  issue a report of preliminary findings from the pilot program
  required under Section 48.212, Human Resources Code, as added by
  this Act, to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
  standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over
  health and human services.
         (b)  Not later than December 15, 2017, the Department of
  Family and Protective Services shall submit a final report on the
  pilot program to the persons and entities described under
  Subsection (a) of this section.  The report must include:
               (1)  an evaluation of the feasibility and benefits of
  the pilot program;
               (2)  any additional findings the department determines
  appropriate; and
               (3)  recommendations for the continuation,
  elimination, or expansion of the pilot program.
         SECTION 4.  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 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.