BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2330
86R13398 LED-D	By: Walle et al. (Lucio)
	Intergovernmental Relations
	4/27/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

During the 85th Legislative Interim, various entities including the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations and the Governor's Rebuild Texas Commission heard from concerned stakeholders that unfortunately, disaster survivors were having to fill out multiple forms to be able to apply for services, such as case management and financial assistance. Unfortunately, this led to a lot of confusion and frustration among disaster survivors.

Concerned stakeholders contend that there is a need for better case management services to help the survivors of natural disasters more easily receive certain disaster recovery assistance.

H.B. 2330 seeks to address this issue by providing for a study to determine the feasibility of developing a streamlined state case management system for such disaster assistance.

H.B. 2330 amends current law relating to a study of an intake system and state case management system for state and federal disaster assistance.

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. (a) Defines "commission" to mean the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and defines "division" to mean the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for purposes of this section.

(b) Requires HHSC and TDEM to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing:

(1) a single intake form that would compile all information needed to obtain disaster assistance from multiple state and federal programs for an individual who needs assistance as a result of a disaster;

(2) an automated intake system for collecting the information; and

(3) a state case management system for disaster assistance, administered by HHSC, that is similar to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) case management system and includes contracting with nonprofit vendors to hire caseworkers and provide case management services.

(c) Requires HHSC and TDEM to coordinate with FEMA and other appropriate state and federal agencies to conduct the study under Subsection (b) of this section. Requires HHSC and TDEM to determine:

(1) whether FEMA and other appropriate state and federal agencies will accept the single intake form;

(2) the cost of developing the single intake form and the cost of developing and maintaining the automated intake system; and

(3) the cost of developing and maintaining a state case management system and the extent to which federal reimbursement is available.

(d) Requires HHSC and TDEM, not later than September 1, 2020, to prepare and submit a written report to the legislature containing the findings of the study conducted under Subsection (b) of this section and any recommendations to the legislature.

(e) Authorizes HHSC and TDEM to implement the single intake form, automated intake system, and state case management system if HHSC and TDEM determine, based on the study conducted under Subsection (b) of this section, that doing so will result in no additional cost to the state.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2021.

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