HBA-MPM H.B. 3381 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3381
By: Goodman
Human Services
3/30/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1985, the 69th Texas Legislature established the Children's Trust Fund
of Texas Council to help prevent child abuse and neglect by providing funds
to assist community-based intervention programs in all areas of the state.
The mission of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS)
also includes prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children
among its duties.  Transferring the powers and duties of the Children's
Trust Fund of Texas Council to PRS could eliminate duplication of services
and increase accountability in the delivery of services.  House Bill 3381
abolishes the Children's Trust Fund of Texas Council and transfers its
existing programs, powers, and duties to PRS. 

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 3381 amends the Human Resources Code to abolish the Children's
Trust Fund of Texas Council, repeal related provisions, and transfer the
council's powers, duties, functions, programs, activities, obligations,
rights, contracts, records, property, funds, and employees to the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Service (PRS).  

PRS is required to develop a state plan for expending funds for child abuse
and neglect prevention programs (programs), to develop eligibility criteria
for applicants requesting funding for such programs, and to establish
funding priorities for the programs (Sec. 40.102).  

The Council is abolished on September 1, 2001 and any reference in existing
law to the council means PRS and a reference to the Children's Trust Fund
means the child abuse and neglect prevention trust fund as redesignated by
this bill (SECTION 10).  PRS is authorized to renew funding to entities
receiving funding in 2001 from the council for the biennium ending August
31, 2003 without the need for competitive procurement (SECTION 12). 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.