HBA-JEK H.B. 1187 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1187
By: Olivo
Human Services
3/8/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The current Parents as Scholars Pilot Program requires participants to have
completed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum and graduated
from high school no earlier than the1998-1999 school year to qualify for a
Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) grant.  Texas could expand its
current incentive program to encourage more low-income parents to obtain a
postsecondary degree.  As there is often a correlation between educational
attainment and income level, a postsecondary degree program for low-income
parents might help these parents increase their incomes and become
self-sufficient. House Bill 1187 revamps the Parents as Scholars pilot
program by modifying the eligibility requirements to make them less
stringent. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Human Resources
in SECTION 1 (Section 31.045, Human Resources Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1187 amends the Human Resources Code to modify the Parents as
Scholars pilot program (program).  The bill requires the Texas Department
of Human Services (DHS) to establish the program for certain persons
eligible for financial assistance to receive, instead of financial
assistance, a package of benefits designed to assist the persons in
obtaining a postsecondary degree or certificate from an institution of
higher education.  The bill removes the provision that the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board assist DHS in establishing and administering
the program. 

H.B. 1187 provides that the eligibility criteria established by DHS rule
must meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance and prohibit a
person who possesses a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher
education from participating in the program.  The bill requires a
participant to seek a postsecondary degree rather than only an
undergraduate degree.  The bill removes the requirement that participants
meet the eligibility requirements of the Toward EXcellence, Access, and
Success (TEXAS) grant. 

H.B. 1187 authorizes benefits provided by the program to include assistance
with payment of tuition and fees, the costs of textbooks and other
educational supplies, and other costs associated with enrollment in an
institution of higher education.   The bill provides that a program
participant is eligible for medical assistance and support services in the
same manner as a person receiving financial assistance. 

The bill requires DHS to establish by rule time limits and other conditions
applicable to a program participant, provided that DHS is prohibited from
providing assistance to a program participant for more than 48 months.  The
bill provides that DHS must require a program participant to demonstrate
satisfactory educational progress to remain eligible for assistance.  

The bill removes the requirement that DHS assist participants in obtaining
a TEXAS grant.  The bill authorizes, but no longer requires, DHS to advise
or assist a program participant in finding other sources  of educational
financial aid. 

H.B. 1187 requires DHS to fund the program from state funds specifically
appropriated for that purpose or from other state funds otherwise available
to DHS for the program.  The bill also requires DHS to establish and
administer the program in such a manner that money spent under the program
is included in determining the state's compliance with federal maintenance
of effort requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
program.   

The bill requires DHS to submit to the legislature, no later than January
15, 2005, a report relating to the program.  The program expires September
1, 2005. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.