Interim Charges

The Legislature's Interim Charges for Children

Between legislative sessions, the Texas Legislature cannot pass bills or a budget without special circumstances. However, the Legislature studies issues to prepare for the next session. Below Texans Care has summarized the relevant studies pertaining to children during the interim for the 81st Texas Legislature. Examine what the Legislature is working on in 2010 in the areas of child health, child protection, family financial security, juvenile justice, and child mental wellbeing or across issues.

For more on how you can get involved in affecting work done on interim charges, click here. To download Texans Care for Children's complete recommendations for 2010 interim charges, click here.

Child and Maternal Health:

Senate Interim Charges:

Monitor the Texas Department of Agriculture's efforts to reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids in foods provided by Texas schools. Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 81^st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Review the implementation of legislation related to the state's accountability system including the revised dropout rate calculation, textbooks, and the virtual school network. Specifically monitor the following:
- HB 3, relating to public school accountability
  Senate Committee on Education
Upon passage of federal legislation relating to reform of the health care industry and health insurance industry that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimates will cost the State of Texas $2 to 2.5 billion per year in General Revenue beginning as early as 2013, study the implications of such legislature on Texas, the health care industry, and public and private insurance. Study and monitor the implementation of the insurance regulatory changes, changes to high risk pool, and any other insurance mandates. Study the health care policy changes and the impact to the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the state budget. Assess the impact to all state uninsured and uncompensated care programs and county programs for the uninsured, including county property tax programs to pay for the uninsured. Make recommendations for the efficient implementation of programs. Joint charge to Senate Committees on Health and Human Services and State Affairs
Review the timeliness and efficiency of the Health and Human Service Commission's eligibility system. Include a review of staffing levels and staffing distribution; implementation of Rider 61; and the increased demand on the system. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, focusing on policy changes that will not create a large financial burden for the state. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, nurses, dentists and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Provide recommendations for ensuring sufficient numbers of health care professionals, focusing on medically underserved and rural areas of the state as well as the Border region. Consider health care delivered by Advanced Practice Nurses in terms of access, cost and patient safety and include an assessment of independent prescriptive authority with those states in which prescriptive authority is delegated by a physician. Make recommendations to enhance the efficient use of Advanced Practice Nurses in Texas. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Examine how the state could enact policies to improve the overall health of Texans, focusing on programs that compliment individually-based prevention with community-based prevention to reduce obesity rates by increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and improving self-management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Examine obesity-related health disparities between different ethnic groups and ways to narrow these gaps. Consider the fiscal and health impact of second-hand smoke on business and service sector employees. Study state-level initiatives to incorporate these individual and community-based prevention strategies, including initiatives pursued in other states. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study the state's ability to appropriately respond to the H1N1 influenza pandemic by examining issues related to vaccine distribution and capacity. Consider the benefit of providing the state's independent school districts and various health authorities with standardized protocols for issues including, but not limited to, vaccine administration, absenteeism and the cancellation of school and other school-related events. Assess the state's ability to track and record H1N1 vaccinations through the ImmTrac registry, and review statues governing ImmTrac to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of immunization information systems. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study current state health care quality improvement initiatives in Texas, including statewide health care-associated infection and adverse event reporting, reimbursement reductions in the Texas Medical program for preventable adverse events, potentially preventable readmissions identification, health information technology implementation, pay-for-performance programs, and other initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency, safety, and quality of health care in Texas. Identify statutory changes that may build upon efforts to improve quality of care and contain health care costs in Texas. Study policies that encourage and facilitate the use of best practices by health care providers including the best way to report and distribute information on quality of care and the use of best practices to the public and to promote health care provider and payment incentives that will encourage the use of best practices. The study/recommendations could also include assessing the best way to bring provider groups together to increase quality of care, the use of best practices, and reduce unnecessary services. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Review the Medicaid HCBS waivers (CBA, STAR Plus, CLASS, MDCP, DMBT, TxHmL) and develop recommendations to assure that people with significant disabilities, regardless of disability label or age, receive needed services to remain in or transition to the community. Review should look at the delivery system, eligibility, service packages, rate structures, workforce issues and funding caps. Examine options for the provision of services for children aging out of the Medicaid system. Make recommendations for streamlining/combining these waivers, ensuring that these waivers are cost effective or create cost savings, and developing policies that contain costs in an effort to increase access to these services, and developing policies that contain other states' community care waivers and provide recommendations relating to efforts that have been successful in other states. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study the implementation of the Healthy Texas program enacted by the 81^st Legislature and the ongoing implementation of SB 1731, 80^th Legislature, to determine if this program is effectively lowering health insurance costs and increasing access to health insurance for small businesses. Study and make recommendations about using this program to increase access to health insurance for sole proprietors. Review other states efforts to lower health care costs to small business owners and sole proprietors and incentivize small business owners and sole proprietors to purchase insurance. Senate Committee on State Affairs
Examine best practices for increasing the affordability and availability of health insurance in the individual and small group market, including medical underwriting practices, rescission of coverage, cancellation of coverage, rate regulation, and reporting of medical loss ratios. Senate Committee on State Affairs
Review the capacity of rural hospitals, rural hospital infrastructure, and the statewide impact of services provided by rural hospitals. Make recommendations for funding options to help communities that do not have adequate resources to replace aging infrastructure and consider the creation of a rural hospital infrastructure support program similar to the courthouse preservations fund. Senate Committee on Finance
Study the effect Texas hospital billing and collection practices have on the uninsured's and under-insured's access to hospital health care services, in the uninsured's and under-insured's economic circumstances, and on medical debt recorded as bad debt on hospital books and records. Assess whether hospital billing disparities involving pricing discounts between the uninsured and insured exist and make recommendations for any changes necessary. Senate Committee on State Affairs

House Interim Charges:

Study the cost and caseload trends in the Texas Medicaid Program, including a review of cost drivers, factors affecting caseload increases, and regional variations. Evaluate the effectiveness of current Medicaid cost containment procedures and make recommendations for legislative changes to contain and control state costs and maximize federal funding without impacting services. House Committee on Appropriations

Identify factors influencing health care cost trends in Texas, including practices or policies that may contribute to regional variations. Investigate medical imaging utilization and its impact on the cost and quality of health care. Recommend policy changes to promote best practices, reduce costs, and improve quality within the state Medicaid program, Employees Retirement System, and Teacher Retirement System. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Appropriations and House Committee on Public Health

Study county- level health care delivery models for indigent health care that emphasize community-based care to improve the continuity and quality of care. Compare urban and rural health care delivery models and make necessary legislative recommendations. House Committee on County Affairs

Determine the feasibility of instituting a comprehensive, single point of entry system to simplify and expedite the process of accessing long-term care services for the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities. House Committee on Human Services

Monitor the implementation of the Department of Justice settlement agreement, SB 643 (81R), and other reforms to services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. House Committee on Human Services

Monitor the Health and Human Services Commission's progress toward improving the timeliness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility determinations. Evaluate the impact of corrective measures already taken by the commission. House Committee on Human Services

Monitor implementation of the Healthy Texas insurance program established by SB 78 (81R). House Committee on Insurance

Study the role of public schools in promoting student health, providing health related information, and responding to infectious diseases, including the H1N1 virus. House Committee on Public Education
Pursuant to HB 1672 (81R), Section 4, study the policies and procedures related to the disclosure required by Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code, to the parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a newborn child. House Committee on Public Health

Examine the need for and barriers to implementing routine HIV screenings as recommended in 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assess the impact of implementation on HIV transmission, health outcomes, clinical progression, and mortality. House Committee on Public Health

Monitor implementation of legislation intended to curb rising obesity rates in Texas. Study and make recommendations regarding better coordination of prevention efforts and evidence-based strategies to reduce the impact of obesity on health care costs. Include recommendations related to the use of federal stimulus funds targeted toward obesity prevention. House Committee on Public Health

Study methods for improving safety on Texas roadways. Study the funding levels of crash prevention programs directed toward pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Explore ways to improve safety for roadside workers. House Committee on Transportation

Child Protection:

Senate Interim Charges:

Evaluate the usage of current Texas practices for facilitating the fair and accurate courtroom testimony of children and reducing the trauma associated with testifying, particularly for children who are victims of sexual abuse. Specifically consider recent efforts and trends across the nation to develop best practices, including "court orientation� programs, and ensure that courtrooms are more child friendly and accommodating for young victims to reduce the trauma associated with testifying in court while ensuring that fair and accurate information is solicited from the child as a witness. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Study the type, duration, frequency and effectiveness of mental health services available to and accessed by abused and neglected Texas children. Recommend strategies to address the impact of the trauma, and enhance therapeutic services available to this population in an effort to eliminate the cycle of abuse and neglect. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, 81^st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.

Monitor the Department of Family and Protective Services' implementation of the U.S. Fostering Connections Act, including the new Kinship Care program. Include recommendations on how to optimize the use of monetary assistance to qualified relative caregivers.
Monitor the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) implementation of SB 643, relating to Texas' state-supported living centers (SSLCs), implementation of Special Provisions relating to All Health and Human Services Agencies, Section 48. Contingency Appropriation for the Reshaping of the System for Providing Services to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, and implementation of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement terms.
Committee on Health and Human Services

Evaluate the voluntary relative placement process in issues of guardianship and the ability of nonparent relatives to make decisions for children under their care. Monitor the progress and implementation of SB 1598 relating to an agreement authorizing a nonparent relative of a child to make certain decisions regarding the child. Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
Examine the potential risk factors for returning service members, which may contribute to an increase in domestic violence and child abuse cases. Additionally, determine best practices, including funding options, to insure that specific counseling related to these risk factors is available to and provided for returning service members and their family members during the initial reunion phase. Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Study and make recommendations to promote and enable confidential information sharing among state agencies and courts serving at-risk children and youth to ensure that comprehensive and appropriate services are being provided. The study should focus on the technological, legal, and fiscal barriers that prevent information sharing among these entities regarding affected children and youth. Senate Committee on Jurisprudence

House Interim Charges:

Monitor the implementation of provisions in SB 2080 (81R) relating to the creation of a permanency assistance program. Evaluate and make recommendations about the foster care licensing process for relatives, the payment structure for a relative who becomes a child's permanent managing conservator, and any factors that should be considered in evaluating program performance and sustainability in the future. House Committee on Human Services

Analyze the practice of using informal or voluntary caregivers ("parental child safety placements") during a Child Protective Services investigation. Study and make recommendations regarding:

a) efforts to track data related to parental child safety placements;

b) incorporation of the power of attorney process authorized by SB 1598 (81R);

c) appropriateness of voluntary placement;

d) review of caregiver qualifications; and

e) potential improvements to the voluntary placement process.
House Committee on Human Services

Study the human and sex trafficking problem in Texas. Make recommendations on best practices in the areas of investigation, prosecution, and tracking of the victims of these crimes. Study whether victims of these crimes are allowed to adequately recover from their attackers in a civil cause of action. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence

Child Mental Wellbeing:

Senate Interim Charges:

Review the state's education policy and initiatives regarding middle grades. Make recommendations to ensure a comprehensive state strategy for preparing students at the middle grades for high school retention and success. This review should include an examination of school-based strategies and best practices that encourage at-risk youth to finish school and that deter delinquency, drug abuse and violence. Senate Committee on Education
Study the effectiveness of Texas school districts' special education programs. Review the range of needs of special education students, districts' ability to provide an appropriate education for these students, and assess the effectiveness of programs currently funded for special education. Make recommendations for improvement. Senate Committee on Education
Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 81^st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Review the implementation of legislation related to the state's accountability system including the revised dropout rate calculation, textbooks, and the virtual school network. Specifically monitor the following:
- HB 3, relating to public school accountability
  Senate Committee on Education
Study the type, duration, frequency and effectiveness of mental health services available to and accessed by abused and neglected Texas children. Recommend strategies to address the impact of the trauma, and enhance therapeutic services available to this population in an effort to eliminate the cycle of abuse and neglect. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study and make recommendations to promote and enable confidential information sharing among state agencies and courts serving at-risk children and youth to ensure that comprehensive and appropriate services are being provided. The study should focus on the technological, legal, and fiscal barriers that prevent information sharing among these entities regarding affected children and youth. Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
Examine the potential risk factors for returning service members, which may contribute to an increase in domestic violence and child abuse cases. Additionally, determine best practices, including funding options, to insure that specific counseling related to these risk factors is available to and provided for returning service members and their family members during the initial reunion phase. Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, nurses, dentists and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Provide recommendations for ensuring sufficient numbers of health care professionals, focusing on medically underserved and rural areas of the state as well as the Border region. Consider health care delivered by Advanced Practice Nurses in terms of access, cost and patient safety and include an assessment of independent prescriptive authority with those states in which prescriptive authority is delegated by a physician. Make recommendations to enhance the efficient use of Advanced Practice Nurses in Texas. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study current state health care quality improvement initiatives in Texas, including statewide health care-associated infection and adverse event reporting, reimbursement reductions in the Texas Medical program for preventable adverse events, potentially preventable readmissions identification, health information technology implementation, pay-for-performance programs, and other initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency, safety, and quality of health care in Texas. Identify statutory changes that may build upon efforts to improve quality of care and contain health care costs in Texas. Study policies that encourage and facilitate the use of best practices by health care providers including the best way to report and distribute information on quality of care and the use of best practices to the public and to promote health care provider and payment incentives that will encourage the use of best practices. The study/recommendations could also include assessing the best way to bring provider groups together to increase quality of care, the use of best practices, and reduce unnecessary services. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Review the detention of juvenile offenders in local jails, state jails, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison units by examining conditions of confinement, including quality of education, mental health treatment and medical services, rehabilitative treatment, and equality of access to services for young female inmates. Review access to administrative and inspector general grievances in TDCJ facilities. Make recommendations for improving the system and reduce recidivism of juvenile offenders. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Study and evaluate the success of juvenile probation pilot programs aimed at community-based diversion of youth from Texas Youth Commission facilities. Make recommendations for needed legislative action and additional programs to increase the number of delinquent youth successfully rehabilitated in their home communities. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Consider the impact that secondary education school disciplinary laws and policies have on the juvenile justice system and the adult prison system. Recommend changes, if needed, to current law. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

House Interim Charges:

Monitor the implementation of the Department of Justice settlement agreement, SB 643 (81R), and other reforms to services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. House Committee on Human Services

Juvenile Justice:

Senate Interim Charges:

Study the efficiency and fairness of the current sexual offender registry system and make recommendations to improve the system, if necessary. Study the issue of compliance with the Adam Walsh Act, focusing on the associated costs to the state and the punishment of juveniles. Examine the risk assessment tools used to measure the likelihood of recidivism of sexual predators. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Review the performance of the Fair Defense Act and the Task Force on Indigent Defense. Study key outcomes of the law, including: appointment rates in felony and misdemeanor cases; state and county indigent defense expenditures; attorney caseloads; attorney compensation; access to investigators and experts; and overall quality of counsel for the indigent. Examine the Task Force on Indigent Defense's effectiveness in monitoring and enforcing standards and design strategies to improve the delivery of services for indigent defense, including timing of the appointment of counsel, the use of the appointment wheel and the monitoring of workloads and performance of attorneys. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Review the detention of juvenile offenders in local jails, state jails, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison units by examining conditions of confinement, including quality of education, mental health treatment and medical services, rehabilitative treatment, and equality of access to services for young female inmates. Review access to administrative and inspector general grievances in TDCJ facilities. Make recommendations for improving the system and reduce recidivism of juvenile offenders. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Assess how the Commission on Jail Standards, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Criminal Justice, and Department of State Health Services are working together to identify defendants with mental health issues, notify magistrates when defendants have been identified, and where appropriate, provide crisis stabilization services to defendants. Monitor legislation passed by the 81^st Legislature for mental illness and make recommendations for any needed improvement s to improve mental health services and reduce recidivism. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Study and evaluate the success of juvenile probation pilot programs aimed at community-based diversion of youth from Texas Youth Commission facilities. Make recommendations for needed legislative action and additional programs to increase the number of delinquent youth successfully rehabilitated in their home communities. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Consider the impact that secondary education school disciplinary laws and policies have on the juvenile justice system and the adult prison system. Recommend changes, if needed, to current law. Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Review the state's education policy and initiatives regarding middle grades. Make recommendations to ensure a comprehensive state strategy for preparing students at the middle grades for high school retention and success. This review should include an examination of school-based strategies and best practices that encourage at-risk youth to finish school and that deter delinquency, drug abuse and violence. Senate Committee on Education
Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 81^st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Review the implementation of legislation related to the state's accountability system including the revised dropout rate calculation, textbooks, and the virtual school network. Specifically monitor the following:
- HB 3, relating to public school accountability
  Senate Committee on Education
Study and make recommendations to promote and enable confidential information sharing among state agencies and courts serving at-risk children and youth to ensure that comprehensive and appropriate services are being provided. The study should focus on the technological, legal, and fiscal barriers that prevent information-sharing among these entities regarding affected children and youth. Senate Committee on Jurisprudence

House Interim Charges:

Examine implementation of the diversion pilot programs, juvenile case management system, and other policy and funding initiatives to determine whether the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and the Texas Youth Commission have adhered to legislative directive in implementing these programs, and the impact of these programs on commitments at the Texas Youth Commission. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Appropriations and House Committee on Corrections

Study and evaluate the availability and efficiency of community-based corrections supervision and treatment programs and their impact on prison capacity and recidivism rates. Determine whether the supervision and treatment programs have been designed in accordance with evidence-based practices and whether adequate evaluation methods have been incorporated. House Committee on Corrections
Study current re-entry programs and procedures across the juvenile and adult criminal justice continuum. Make recommendations to ensure that offenders who are released or discharged have the necessary supervision and access to employment, housing, treatment, and other support programs to allow successful entry and integration into the community. Evaluate the working relationship between state agencies facilitating re-entry and make recommendations on how to achieve greater efficiency and cost savings. House Committee on Corrections
Examine policies and programs designed to identify, divert, and enhance the supervision and treatment of special needs offenders within local jails and state correctional facilities. Recommend changes to address appropriate alternatives to incarceration or institutionalization. House Committee on Corrections
Review the range of services provided to females in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems and recommend changes to ensure responsiveness to gender-specific issues. Review should include institutional and community supervision programs and utilization of correctional facilities that house non-adjudicated populations. House Committee on Corrections
Examine the deferred adjudication system in Texas and recommend legislative changes. House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
Study how the state presently supports the establishment and maintenance of public defender offices. House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence

Family Financial Security:

Senate Interim Charges:

Review the timeliness and efficiency of the Health and Human Service Commission's eligibility system. Include a review of staffing levels and staffing distribution; implementation of Rider 61; and the increased demand on the system. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, focusing on policy changes that will not create a large financial burden for the state. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study the effectiveness of current regulation and practices of debt management providers in Texas, including credit service organizations, and assess the extent to which individuals' estates are protected in transactions with debt management providers. Make recommendations to enhance protections. Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
Study current law governing homeowners associations with respect to ensuring that homeowners are given adequate protections against unfair foreclosures and are given proper channels for redress in case of foreclosure. Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Review the effectiveness of the Coordination of Colonia Initiatives and related measures addressed by the Committee and develop recommendations to better address substandard communities across the state where no potable water or sewage services are provided. Review state and local laws and policies relating to development and growth in unincorporated regions of the state and develop recommendations aimed at providing local units of government the necessary local control tools to curtail the spread of colonia-like developments in their jurisdictions. Senate Committee on International Relations
Examine effectiveness of state homeownership programs serving colonia residents. Study the need for contract for deed conversions in the colonias within 150 miles of the Texas/Mexico border. Examine existing statute regarding statewide distribution of the Texas Bootstrap Loan Program and recommend changes to increase the state's ability to expedite allocations of funds. Develop recommendations to address abusive lending practices in distressed areas and fair housing violations in the colonias. Senate Committee on International Relations
Study the effect Texas hospital billing and collection practices have on the uninsured's and under-insured's access to hospital health care services, in the uninsured's and under-insured's economic circumstances, and on medical debt recorded as bad debt on hospital books and records. Assess whether hospital billing disparities involving pricing discounts between the uninsured and insured exist and make recommendations for any changes necessary. Senate Committee on State Affairs

House Interim Charges:

Review ways in which communities can meet increasing demand for child-care services while preparing children to succeed in school, including the implementation of the Texas Workforce Commission's Child Care and Development Fund Plan for Texas. House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce

Monitor the use of funds, adherence to state and federal reporting requirements, and ongoing development of federal rules and regulations provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Evaluate the impact of those funds on the state's economy. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Appropriations and House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding

Evaluate programs designed to assist students and families in paying the costs of accessing the state's higher education system, including financial aid programs and the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan. Examine the impact these programs have on student achievement and the Closing the Gaps initiative. House Committee on Appropriations

Review the Unemployment Compensation Fund and its impact on business taxpayers to determine whether changes may be made to stabilize the fund in times of economic contraction without imposing an undue economic burden on businesses. Determine whether modernizations should be implemented to make the fund more efficient and effective. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Business and Industry and House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce

Evaluate the state's continuing effort to close achievement gaps in success, participation, excellence, and research by 2015. Study how state public education institutions compare to peer institutions around the country. House Committee on Higher Education

Study current financial aid programs, tuition and fee exemption programs, loan repayment programs, and professional incentive programs. Evaluate the impact of need-based versus merit-based assistance. Recommend changes where appropriate to improve the alignment of these programs to meet state needs. House Committee on Higher Education

Study and recommend strategies for improving community college participation and success. Examine the role of community colleges within the state higher education system. Include a review of programs, practices, and incentives to improve efficiency and productivity, such as expanding dual credit options, encouraging credit by examination, and improving student preparation in high school. House Committee on Higher Education

Examine the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' (TDHCA) regional allocation formula policies and determine methodologies that could enhance equitable distribution. House Committee on Urban Affairs

Review the TDCHA's Weatherization Assistance Program and increased funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Examine the methodology used to distribute funds and the program's effectiveness at reducing residential energy costs. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Urban Affairs and House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding

Make recommendations regarding the feasibility of a housing initiative that promotes independence and prevents unnecessary institutionalization of eligible populations. House Committee on Urban Affairs

Study the impact of the debt relief industry, including debt management and debt settlement organizations, and the implications of regulating that industry. House Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services

Monitor the implementation of the public school accountability, college readiness, and other reforms enacted by HB 3 (81R) and recommend adjustments as needed. House Committee on Public Education

Examine ways to keep Texas' workforce and economy competitive. Determine how Texas can enhance its competitiveness in a strategic manner, including bringing new jobs to Texas. House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce

Cross-Issue

Senate Interim Charges:

Study the benefits, efficiencies and costs, and effectiveness of the social service related prevention and early intervention programs at the health and human services agencies, the juvenile and adult criminal justice agencies and other government agencies that have programs that address mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, single-parent families, absentee fathers, early pregnancy, and unemployment. Study other states' prevention programs and efforts to administer these programs through a merged prevention department. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Review opportunities for increasing the transparency of government operations and make recommendations for enhancing pubic access to government. Senate Committee on Government Organization
Study and make recommendations to promote and enable confidential information sharing among state agencies and courts serving at-risk children and youth to ensure that comprehensive and appropriate services are being provided. The study should focus on the technological, legal, and fiscal barriers that prevent information sharing among these entities regarding affected children and youth. Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, nurses, dentists and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Provide recommendations for ensuring sufficient numbers of health care professionals, focusing on medically underserved and rural areas of the state as well as the Border region. Consider health care delivered by Advanced Practice Nurses in terms of access, cost and patient safety and include an assessment of independent prescriptive authority with those states in which prescriptive authority is delegated by a physician. Make recommendations to enhance the efficient use of Advanced Practice Nurses in Texas. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Study and make recommendations regarding formula funding and its impact on the cost of attendance and methods of financing higher education institutions, including funding differences for pharmacy and nursing programs; research funding; performance funding; and funding for institutions that face capacity student enrollment. Specifically addressing the following:
- Methods of financing capital projects at higher education institutions, including the levels of deferred maintenance, the impact of deferred maintenance on the ability to offer basic instructional services, and the methods used to finance.
  Senate Committee on Finance