HBA-LJP S.B. 1429 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1429 By: West, Royce Higher Education 5/4/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE According to the 1995 publication "Dating Violence and Acquaintance Assault" by the Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, up to one-third of young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 have reported being involved in at least one abusive dating situation. Assisting victims and perpetrators in modifying behavior that contributes to violence in a relationship may help both the victims and perpetrators to bring an end to such violence. Senate Bill 1429 establishes the Center for Relationship Violence Prevention and Intervention at Prairie View A&M University. 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 Senate Bill 1429 amends the Education Code to establish, subject to the availability of funds, the Center for Relationship Violence Prevention and Intervention (center) at Prairie View A&M University and to vest the organization, control, and management of the center in the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board). The bill prohibits the board from using legislative appropriations, other than any gifts or grants subject to appropriation, to establish or operate the center. The bill authorizes the center to provide services to victims and perpetrators of relationship violence, to serve as a shelter for victims in Waller County and the surrounding community, to conduct research and educational programs, to serve as an information resource on relationship violence, and to develop and implement programs, policies, and strategies addressing relationship violence in partnership and collaboration with other entities. The bill authorizes the center to enter into a cooperative agreement or contract with a public or private entity to perform the duties of the center. The bill requires the board to approve the employment of personnel by and the operating budget of the center, and provides that an employee of the center is an employee of Prairie View A&M University. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.