BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1156 By: Nelson Finance 3/25/2021 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT What does this bill do? Updates the definition for the Court Appointed Special Advocates in the Family Code. Purpose Aligns the definition with current law. Background In 2015 the legislature passed S.B. 354, which aligned children's advocacy centers and Court Appointed Special Advocates with the state's child welfare system. The bill transferred the administrative responsibility for the children's advocacy centers and the Court Appointed Special Advocates from the Office of the Attorney General to the Health and Human Services Commission. Since that session, several statutory changes have been made relating to agency contracting. S.B. 1156 Provisions Removes the reference to a 509(a)(3) supporting organization from the code. Fiscal Impact: No fiscal impact anticipated. As proposed, S.B. 1156 amends current law relating to the contracting authority of the Health and Human Services Commission for the volunteer advocate for children program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 264.603(a), Family Code, as follows: (a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with one statewide organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of that code and that is composed of individuals or groups of individuals who have expertise in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and experience in operating volunteer advocate programs to provide training, technical assistance, and evaluation services for the benefit of local volunteer advocate programs. Requires that the contract: (1) include measurable goals and objectives relating to the number of volunteer advocates in the program, and children receiving services from the program; and (2) follow practices designed to ensure compliance with standards referenced in the contract. Deletes existing text requiring that the statewide organization be designated as a supporting organization under Section 509(a)(3), Internal Revenue Code of 1986. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1156
By: Nelson
Finance
3/25/2021
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1156
By: Nelson
Finance
3/25/2021
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
What does this bill do?
Purpose
Background
S.B. 1156 Provisions
Fiscal Impact:
As proposed, S.B. 1156 amends current law relating to the contracting authority of the Health and Human Services Commission for the volunteer advocate for children program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 264.603(a), Family Code, as follows:
(a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with one statewide organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of that code and that is composed of individuals or groups of individuals who have expertise in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and experience in operating volunteer advocate programs to provide training, technical assistance, and evaluation services for the benefit of local volunteer advocate programs. Requires that the contract:
(1) include measurable goals and objectives relating to the number of volunteer advocates in the program, and children receiving services from the program; and
(2) follow practices designed to ensure compliance with standards referenced in the contract.
Deletes existing text requiring that the statewide organization be designated as a supporting organization under Section 509(a)(3), Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.