BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3935

By: Rose

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that the few foster group homes in Texas built to care for the needs of trafficked youth are at risk of closure due to the financial restraints placed on those group homes. H.B. 3935 seeks to ensure the continued viability of these group homes by requiring the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules governing the licensing and reimbursement of an independent foster group home that provides shelter and care for victims of sex trafficking.

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

H.B. 3935 amends the Human Resources Code to require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules governing the licensing and reimbursement of an independent foster group home that provides shelter and care for victims of sex trafficking. The bill requires the rules to include a procedure for obtaining a license for the home, provide for reimbursement in the name of the organization that manages the home, and provide for reimbursement at the intensive service level rate for residential child care provided by the home.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.