Texas House Bill HB4479

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a grant program and task force relating to disaster issues affecting persons who are elderly and persons with disabilities.

Impact

The grant program established by HB4479 is designed to provide financial support for initiatives that involve elderly individuals and persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. It encourages community-level practices aimed at reducing the risks and impacts of disasters on these vulnerable populations. Additionally, the task force is tasked with developing and recommending state and local policies to enhance the inclusion of elderly individuals and persons with disabilities in community disaster planning.

Summary

House Bill 4479 aims to establish a grant program and a task force specifically addressing disaster issues that affect elderly individuals and persons with disabilities. The bill outlines the structure of the task force, which consists of 11 members, including first responders and representatives from municipalities and counties, with a majority required to be individuals with disabilities or their guardians. The primary function of this task force is to administer the grant program and study effective methods of assisting the elderly and disabled during disasters or emergency evacuations.

Contention

While the bill appears beneficial in enhancing support for vulnerable populations during emergencies, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness of fund allocation and the actual implementation of recommended strategies. Critics could argue about the efficacy of such programs and whether they would adequately meet the varying needs of elderly individuals and persons with disabilities during different types of disasters. The requirement for grant recipients to demonstrate compliance with performance expectations could also raise concerns about administrative burdens or oversight failures.