87R16864 BDP-D
 
  By: Walle H.B. No. 2091
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the redesignation and authority of the Harris County
  Board of Protective Services for Children and Adults.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 152.1073, Human Resources
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 152.1073.  HARRIS COUNTY BOARD OF RESOURCES [PROTECTIVE
  SERVICES] FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
         SECTION 2.  Section 152.1073(a)(1), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (1)  "Board" means the Harris County Board of Resources
  [Protective Services] for Children and Adults.
         SECTION 3.  Section 152.1073, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (g) and (h) and adding Subsection
  (h-1) to read as follows:
         (g)  In addition to the authority granted to the board by the
  commissioners court, the Health and Human Services Commission, and
  the [Texas] Department of Family and Protective [Human] Services,
  the board may:
               (1)  disburse funds from sources other than the
  commissioners court, the commission, and the department [Texas
  Department of Human Services] to benefit children, eligible adults
  with disabilities, and eligible elderly persons under this section
  and to provide care, protection, evaluation, training, treatment,
  education, and recreation to those persons [children];
               (2)  refuse to accept any funds the board considers to
  be inappropriate, incompatible, or burdensome to board policies or
  the provision of services;
               (3)  accept a gift or grant of real or personal property
  or accept support under or an interest in a trust to benefit persons
  described by Subdivision (1) [children under this section] and hold
  the gift or grant directly or in trust;
               (4)  use a gift or grant to benefit persons described by
  Subdivision (1) [children under this section] and to provide care,
  protection, education, or training to those persons [children];
               (5)  accept and disburse as provided by Subdivision (1)
  fees and contributions from parents, guardians, and relatives of
  persons described by that subdivision [children] who are:
                     (A)  in county supported substitute care or
  custody, in the county guardianship program, in the county
  representative payee program, or receiving services from the county
  Senior Justice Assessment Center; or
                     (B)  being assisted by casework, day care, or
  homemaker services, by medical, psychological, dental, or other
  remedial help, or by teaching, training, or other services;
               (6)  account for and spend funds the board receives as
  fees, contributions, payments made by guardians, or payments made
  to benefit a person described by Subdivision (1) who is [child] in
  the board's or the county's legal custody;
               (7)  receive and disburse funds available to support or
  benefit a person described by Subdivision (1) who is [child] in the
  board's or the county's legal custody, including social security
  benefits, life insurance proceeds, survivors' pension or annuity
  benefits, or a beneficial interest in property; and
               (8)  receive and use funds, grants, and assistance
  available to the board or the county from a federal or state
  department or agency to carry out the functions and programs of the
  department or agency that is designed to aid or extend programs and
  operations approved by the board.
         (h)  The board shall designate the director or an assistant
  to apply for letters of guardianship if necessary to receive funds
  under Subsection (g)(7). The director or an assistant may:
               (1)  apply for and disburse the funds to provide
  special items of support for children, eligible adults with
  disabilities, and eligible elderly persons under this section or to
  pay general administrative expenses relating to services under this
  section;
               (2)  hold the funds in trust; or
               (3)  apply the funds for a particular or more
  restricted purpose as required by law or the source of the funds.
         (h-1)  The board may collaborate with state agencies to
  provide services for eligible adults with disabilities and eligible
  elderly persons who:
               (1)  are residents of the county;
               (2)  have been exploited, abused, or neglected; or
               (3)  may be in need of a guardianship or assistance from
  a representative payee.
         SECTION 4.  On the effective date of this Act, the Harris
  County Board of Protective Services for Children and Adults is
  redesignated as the Harris County Board of Resources for Children
  and Adults.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.