BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4129

By: Davis, Aicha

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to evaluate the performance of community-based care single source continuum contractors (SSCC) that serve children and families in Texas. The bill author has informed the committee that, while SSCC performance is evaluated on an ongoing basis in compliance with current law, DFPS has limited remedies available under current law to enforce compliance in an SSCC contract related to performance and currently uses methods of technical assistance, corrective action plans, increased monitoring through continuous quality improvement plans, or contract termination as remedies. The bill author has additionally informed the committee that financial remedies are only available when an SSCC has moved to Stage III of implementation, which occurs 18 months after the start of Stage II, but that DFPS should have the option to use additional dispute resolution methods when deficiencies in an SSCC's performance are identified. H.B. 4129 seeks to address this issue by allowing DFPS to implement formal measures to ensure an SSCC is delivering high-quality service, including quality improvement plans, financial interventions, and other appropriate interventions or restrictions.

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. 4129 amends the Family Code to include provisions that allow the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to implement formal measures to ensure a single source continuum contractor is delivering high-quality service, including quality improvement plans, financial interventions, and other appropriate interventions or restrictions, among the provisions required to be included in a contract between DFPS and such a contractor to provide community-based care services in a catchment area.

H.B. 4129 applies only to a contract entered into or amended, modified, renewed, or extended on after the bill's effective date. A contract entered into or amended, modified, renewed, or extended before the bill's effective date is governed by the law in effect on the date the contract was entered into or amended, modified, renewed, or extended, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.