Bill Text: TX SB1803 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to the effectiveness of state-funded homelessness programs at helping beneficiaries advance toward self-sufficiency.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-23 - Placed on General State Calendar [SB1803 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SB1803-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Relating to the effectiveness of state-funded homelessness programs at helping beneficiaries advance toward self-sufficiency.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-23 - Placed on General State Calendar [SB1803 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SB1803-Introduced.html
By: Springer | S.B. No. 1803 | |
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relating to the effectiveness of state-funded homelessness | ||
programs at helping beneficiaries advance toward self-sufficiency. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 2306, Government Code, is amended by | ||
adding Section 2306.084 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 2306.084. STATEWIDE HOMELESSNESS SERVICES AUDIT. (a) | ||
In 2024 and every second year after that year, the state auditor | ||
shall conduct and effectiveness and efficiency audit of all | ||
services for the homeless provided by agencies of this state. | ||
(b) The cost of the audit shall be paid for using existing | ||
resources allocated for the purpose of auditing the agencies | ||
identified in subsection (g). | ||
(c) Not later than March 1 of the year in which an audit is | ||
required under this section, the state auditor shall engage an | ||
external auditor to conduct the audit. | ||
(d) The state auditor shall oversee the external auditor and | ||
ensure that the audit is conducted in accordance with the | ||
requirements of this section. | ||
(e) The external auditor shall be independent and not | ||
subject to direction from any state agency subject to evaluation by | ||
the auditor for purposes of this section. | ||
(f) The audit shall: | ||
(1) examine all state resources, including but not | ||
limited to financial resources, manpower, and infrastructure used | ||
in providing services to the homeless; | ||
(2) assess the effectiveness of state agencies, | ||
programs, and community service providers receiving state funds at | ||
helping the homeless achieve self-sufficiency, including the | ||
following outcomes: | ||
(A) the percentage of beneficiaries who secure | ||
and maintain housing for which they are the primary payer; | ||
(B) the percentage of beneficiaries whose | ||
children regularly attend school or other educational programs; | ||
(C) the percentage of beneficiaries who | ||
participate in at least 20 hours per week of paid public or private | ||
sector work, including paid apprenticeships; | ||
(D) the percentage of beneficiaries engaged in | ||
occupational or vocational training programs; | ||
(E) the percentage of beneficiaries who move from | ||
subsidized income to earned income as a primary source of earnings; | ||
(F) the percentage of beneficiaries who have | ||
regular visits with a primary care physician; | ||
(G) the percentage of beneficiaries with mental | ||
health needs who engage in regular mental health care services; | ||
(H) the percentage of beneficiaries with | ||
addiction or substance use disorder who engage in regular treatment | ||
services; and | ||
(I) the percentage of beneficiaries without | ||
involvement with the criminal justice system. | ||
(3) rate each agency, program, and community service | ||
provider reviewed as "unsatisfactory," "satisfactory," or | ||
"exemplary" based on their effectiveness at achieving the outcomes | ||
under subsection (f)(2); | ||
(4) make recommendations for: | ||
(A) eliminating poorly performing programs; | ||
(B) ending contractual or funding relationships | ||
with poorly performing community service providers; | ||
(C) consolidating duplicative or overlapping | ||
services and functions; and | ||
(D) reallocating state resources to ensure that | ||
the outcomes under subsection (f)(2) are achieved in the most | ||
effective and economical manner. | ||
(g) The following agencies must be included in the audit: | ||
(1) Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; | ||
(2) Texas Health and Human Services Commission; | ||
(3) Texas Department of Family and Protective | ||
Services; | ||
(4) Texas Education Agency; | ||
(5) Texas Workforce Commission; | ||
(6) Texas Veterans Commission; and | ||
(7) Texas Department of Criminal Justice. | ||
(h) The state auditor may select other agencies or programs | ||
in addition to those listed in subsection (g) for inclusion in the | ||
audit. | ||
(i) The external auditor must complete the audit not later | ||
than the 90th day after the date the auditor is engaged and present | ||
its results and recommendations to the state auditor and the heads | ||
of the agencies subject to the audit. | ||
(j) Not later than November 1 of the calendar year in which | ||
an audit is completed, the state auditor shall prepare and submit a | ||
report of the audit and recommendations for improvement to the | ||
governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the | ||
Lieutenant Governor, and the Legislative Budget Board. | ||
(k) The full audit and state auditor's report must be | ||
published to the state auditor's Internet website. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |