TITLE: Relating to the administration of human services block grant programs

SUMMARY: Relating to the administration of human services block grant programs

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the administration of human services block grant programs BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Government Code Section 2105 is amended in part to read: Sec. 2105.002. COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS NOT INTENDED TO REDUCE SERVICES. The process of combining categorical federal assistance programs into block grants should not have an overall effect of reducing the relative proportion of services and benefits made available to low-income individuals, elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, and migrant and seasonal agricultural workers,provided that no individual who would have received services before the categorical assistance program was combined into a block grant shall be ineligible solely because the program has been combined into a block grant.Sec. 2105.005 PRIORITY TO POVERTY PROGRAMS. (a) An agency should give priority to programs that remedy the causes and cycle of poverty if: (1) the alleviation of poverty is a purpose of the block grant; and (2) the agency has discretion over the types of programs that may be funded with the block grant. (b) In administering a block grant, an agency shall consult: (1) low-income recipients; (2) low-income intended recipients; and (3) organizations representing low-income individuals. (c) To the extent consistent with the purpose of the block grant, an agency's rules shall ensure that providers use block grant funds to the maximum benefit of low-income recipients and intended recipients and shall ensure, in regard to any categorical program administered by the provider which has been combined into a block grant, that no individual who would have been eligible to receive services before the categorical assistance program was combined into a block grant shall be ineligible solely because the program has been combined into a block grant.Sec. 2105.054. NOTICE OF HEARING. (a) An agency shall: (1) provide notice of a public hearing regarding the plan for a block grant not later than the 15th day before the date of the hearing; (2) post the notice in a conspicuous place in each agency office; (3) include in the notice a clear and concise description of the matters to be considered including but not limited to the extent of anticipated reductions or increases in services under the block grant and a statement of the manner in which written comments may be submitted; (4) maintain lists of interested persons; (5) mail notices of hearings to interested persons; and (6) conduct other activities necessary to promote public participation in the public hearing. (b) A notice prepared under this section must be printed in English and Spanish. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017