Amend CSHB 39 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 40.05286 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.05286. STUDY ON REASONABLE CASEWORKER CASELOAD GOALS. (a) The department in collaboration with the Legislative Budget Board shall conduct a study to determine reasonable caseworker caseload goals and make recommendations regarding minimum and maximum caseloads for caseworkers in each division of the department. The recommendations must be consistent with other provisions of law governing department cases and caseloads, including provisions related to risk assessment.
(b) The study described under Subsection (a) must:
(1) consider:
(A) optimal workload time and effort for assigned caseworker duties; and
(B) the differences in caseworker workload between regions of this state; and
(2) include recommendations on:
(A) reasonable caseworker caseload goals and minimum and maximum caseload goals for caseworkers in each division of the department, including employees of single source continuum contractors who provide case management services under contract with the department;
(B) caseworker caseload goal estimates that will provide flexibility to the department in an emergency;
(C) any changes required for department risk assessment provisions; and
(D) the provision of case management services by single source continuum contractors under contract with the department.
(c) The department shall:
(1) use the results and recommendations of the study to determine the funding level of the department that is appropriate to reduce caseloads; and
(2) not later than August 1, 2018, and jointly with the Legislative Budget Board, report the results and recommendations of the study to the legislature.
(d) This section expires December 31, 2019.