Bill Caption

Relating to the establishment of a pilot program to provide protective services to certain persons determined to be at risk of future harm from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

The bill would require the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to develop and implement a pilot program, utilizing existing resources, that gauges the feasibility and associated benefits of providing protective services when an elderly person or person with a disability has been determined, using certain risk assessment criteria, to be at risk of future harm from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

DFPS would be required to implement the pilot by January 1, 2016 and would be authorized to continue the pilot through August 31, 2017. The bill would also require DFPS to submit a report of preliminary findings by December 15, 2016 and any additional findings by December 15, 2017.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Whenever a bill requires a state agency to implement a pilot program, we always want to verify it would not increase the size, scope, or cost of government. In this case, the legislation would not abridge limited government because it explicitly states the pilot program would be executed utilizing existing resources. We remain neutral on SB 1641.