BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2330

By: Walle

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been reported that there is a need for better case management services to help the survivors of natural disasters, like Hurricane Harvey, 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.

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

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2330 requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing:

·       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;

·       an automated intake system for collecting the information; and

·       a state case management system for disaster assistance, administered by HHSC, that is similar to the FEMA case management system and that includes contracting with nonprofit vendors to hire caseworkers and provide case management services.

H.B. 2330 requires HHSC and TDEM to coordinate with FEMA and other appropriate state and federal agencies to conduct the study and requires HHSC and TDEM to determine whether FEMA and those agencies will accept the single intake form and to determine certain costs associated with the form, the automated intake system, and a state case management system, including the extent to which federal reimbursement is available for the system. The bill 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 and any recommendations. The bill 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, that doing so will result in no additional cost to the state. The bill's provisions expire January 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.