HBA-JEK S.B. 47 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 47 By: Zaffirini Human Services 3/21/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) estimates that 857,745 women were victims of domestic violence during the fiscal year 2000. That same year, DHS provided family violence services to 41,203 women, or about five percent of those in need. Under current law, locally based and supported nonprofit family violence shelter centers are eligible to receive funding from the DHS Family Violence Program. Many victims of family violence do not need residential services, but may require other services such as counseling, court accompaniment, and referral to community resources. Nonresidential programs are not recognized in the Human Resources Code and are not eligible to receive state funding. Senate Bill 47 authorizes DHS to award funds to nonresidential family violence centers and family violence special projects. 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 47 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) no later than January 1, 2002 to develop and maintain a plan for delivering family violence services while taking into consideration the geographic distribution and need for services (Sec. 51.0021 and SECTION 12). The bill expands the requirement for DHS to contract with nonprofit family violence centers to include family violence nonresidential centers. The bill authorizes DHS to contract with family violence special projects and sets forth contract requirements, including bidding and eligibility requirements and contract specifications, for family violence shelter centers, nonresidential family violence centers, and family violence special projects (Secs. 51.002-51.005). The bill requires DHS and the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to coordinate the provision of violence prevention services for children (Sec. 51.012). EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.