Texas Senate Bill SB1060

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to family cost share provisions in the early childhood intervention program.

Impact

The bill's implementation may bring substantial changes to how families contribute to the early childhood intervention program. It proposes to consider an income-based cost-sharing model, where families with higher incomes could pay more compared to previous contributions, thus balancing the scales for those in different income brackets. Evaluating existing cost share provisions periodically as mandated by this bill is likely to inform state policies on funding and resource allocation for early childhood services, as well as how those services are delivered.

Summary

Senate Bill 1060 introduces provisions related to the family cost share in the early childhood intervention program in Texas. The bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services collects and analyzes data on families' adjusted income and administrative costs to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing family cost share provisions. The aim is to identify improvements that could enhance the program's cost-effectiveness while ensuring that service access remains affordable for families. This is significant in establishing a financially sustainable framework for early childhood assistance without financial burdens on participating families.

Contention

While the bill appears to offer a systematic approach to funding family contributions to intervention programs, there could be concerns regarding its long-term impact on families, especially those on the lower end of the income spectrum. The potential for access to be deemed cost-prohibitive if fees increase may raise alarms among advocacy groups aimed at supporting early childhood education. This aspect of the bill could ignite debates surrounding affordability and access, emphasizing the need for a balanced evaluation to ensure that families do not face barriers to necessary services.