HBA-MPM H.B. 2825 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2825 By: Smithee Human Services 3/23/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Many religious and social organizations operate child care facilities and child placement agencies. Some view state licensing standards as intrusive, burdensome, and conflicting with the goals of the religious or social organization. In 1997, the state legislature enacted law approving the alternative accreditation of child care facilities and child placement agencies. Alternative accreditation by a recognized organization in lieu of state licensure allowed the organizations to retain their religious identity through exemption from some government regulations. The law enacted in 1997 that approved alternative accreditation also provided a sunset for this legislation. House Bill 2825 extends existing provisions that permit the alternative accreditation for certain child-care facilities and child-placing agencies until September 1, 2007. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2825 amends the Human Resources Code to provide for the continuation of the accreditation program for a child-care facility or child-placing agency as an alternative to licensure by the state until September 1, 2007. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, of if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act take effect September 1, 2001.