Texas Senate Bill SB71

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 11/8/10
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/28/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/7/11
• Refer: 1/31/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/17/11
• Report Pass: 3/28/11
• Voted on by House: 5/20/11
• Engrossed: 4/7/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/28/11
• Report Pass: 5/12/11
• Enrolled: 5/27/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to certain reports submitted and analyses conducted regarding health and human services.

Impact

If implemented, this bill may significantly streamline processes within health and human services related to child welfare in Texas. By enforcing standardized evaluation methods, it could enhance accountability and transparency within the state agencies responsible for the welfare of children. Moreover, this standardization can potentially reduce discrepancies in how different agencies assess and report their programs, leading to improved programs and resources for addressing child abuse and neglect across the state.

Summary

SB71 pertains to health and human services by mandating certain reports and analyses to improve the effectiveness of programs addressing child abuse and neglect. The bill requires state agencies involved in these services to adopt standardized definitions, policies, and procedures for evaluations. The aim is to create a consistent method for assessing program effectiveness, ensuring that all agencies adhere to a unified framework while conducting evaluations and reporting on their outcomes.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB71 originates from concerns about the practicality of implementing standardized definitions and procedures across diverse state agencies with varying missions and goals. Critics may argue that such a uniform approach could overlook specific needs and contextual factors unique to certain programs or communities. Additionally, the bill's emphasis on reporting could lead to increased administrative workloads for agencies already facing budgetary constraints, which may detract from the actual services provided to children and families.