BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 507
86R13611 MM-D	By: White (Paxton)
	Health & Human Services
	4/22/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There have been calls for the state to do more to ensure that parents are engaged with their children, given that parents are often their child's first and best teachers. H.B. 507 seeks to answer these calls by establishing the task force on parent engagement and education programs to coordinate and make recommendations on parent engagement and evidence-based parent education programs provided by state agencies.

H.B. 507 amends current law relating to a task force to coordinate and make recommendations on parent engagement and education programs provided by state agencies.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 531, Government Code, by adding Subchapter L-1, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER L-1. TASK FORCE ON PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Sec. 531.431. DEFINITION. Defines "task force" for purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 531.432. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. Provides that the task force on parent engagement and education programs is established to:

(1) enhance coordination of parent engagement and evidence-based parent education programs across state agencies; and

(2) develop comprehensive, statewide best practices for engaging parents as their children's first and best teachers.

Sec. 531.433. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. Provides that the task force is composed of 13 members as follows:

(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (executive commissioner; HHSC);

(2) the commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services;

(3) the executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission;

(4) the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;

(5) the executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;

(6) the executive director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;

(7) one representative of the Hurricane Harvey Task Force on School Mental Health Supports appointed by the governor or, if the task force described by this subdivision does not exist, one person appointed by the governor who has experience in the mental health field;

(8) one representative of a county juvenile board or juvenile probation department appointed by the presiding officer of the task force;

(9) one representative of a faith-based organization appointed by the presiding officer of the task force;

(10) one person appointed by the presiding officer of the task force who has experienced challenges meant to be addressed by a parent engagement or education program;

(11) one representative of the law enforcement community appointed by the presiding officer of the task force; and

(12) two persons appointed by the presiding officer of the task force, each of whom is a parent of or person standing in parental relation to a school‑age child.

Sec. 531.434. PRESIDING OFFICER. Requires the executive commissioner to serve as presiding officer.

Sec. 531.435. VACANCY. Requires a vacancy for an appointed member of the task force to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Sec. 531.436. MEETINGS. Requires the task force to meet at least quarterly at the call of the presiding officer. Requires the task force to meet at other times as determined by the presiding officer.

Sec. 531.437. DUTIES. Requires the task force to:

(1) receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations regarding parent engagement and evidence‑based parent education programs;

(2) identify parent engagement and evidence-based parent education programs that are being implemented in this state and describe opportunities for improved coordination among those programs to:

(A) maximize the programs' effectiveness and funding; and

(B) align program outcomes; and

(3) develop policy and other recommendations for:

(A) expanding access to parent engagement and evidence-based parent education programs;

(B) establishing comprehensive statewide best practice guidelines for those programs; and

(i) appropriate parents in this state;

(ii) communities with the greatest need for the program services; and

(iii) families exhibiting high levels of risk factors, which include a preterm birth, poverty, having low parent educational attainment, having one or more teenage parents, having poor maternal health, and having parent unemployment or underemployment.

Sec. 531.438. REPORT. (a) Requires the task force to prepare a report that includes:

(1) a description of the activities of the task force;

(2) the findings and recommendations of the task force, including recommendations described by Section 531.437(3); and

(3) proposed legislation or recommendations or information on any other relevant matter that the task force considers appropriate.

(b) Requires the task force, not later than December 1, 2020, to submit the report prepared under this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over issues relating to parent engagement and education.

Sec. 531.439. RESPONSIBILITY OF COMMISSION. Requires HHSC to provide reasonably necessary administrative and technical support to the task force.

Sec. 531.440. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. Provides that appointed members of the task force serve without compensation and are prohibited from being reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting the business of the task force.

Sec. 531.441. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees) does not apply to the task force.

Sec. 531.442. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. Authorizes HHSC to accept on behalf of the task force a gift, grant, or donation from any source to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 531.443. EXPIRATION. Provides that the task force is abolished and this subchapter expires September 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. Requires the governor and the executive commissioner, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the members of the task force on parent engagement and education programs as required by Section 531.433, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.