Sparks Bill Orders Homeless Services Audit, First One In 2028

The text as introduced · 787 words

89R4614 JAM-F

By: Sparks
S.B. No. 399

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a biennial audit of the effectiveness and efficiencies

of state services provided to homeless individuals.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 321, Government Code, is amended by

adding Section 321.0139 to read as follows:

Sec. 321.0139. AUDIT OF HOMELESSNESS SERVICES. (a) In each

even-numbered year, the State Auditor shall require an audit to be

conducted regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of all

homelessness services that are provided by the state agencies

identified under Subsections (e) and (f).

(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), 2028 is the first

year that an audit is required to be conducted under this section.

This subsection expires January 1, 2029.

(b) Not later than March 1 of the year in which an audit is

required under this section, the State Auditor shall engage an

independent external auditor to conduct the audit. The external

auditor may not be under the direction of any agency subject to the

audit under this section.

(c) The State Auditor shall supervise the external auditor

to ensure that the audit is conducted in accordance with the

requirements of this section.

(d) The audit shall:

(1) examine all state resources used in providing

services to homeless individuals, including financial resources,

employees, and infrastructure;

(2) according to the purposes of and activities funded

by the agencies identified under Subsections (e) and (f), their

programs, and participating community service providers, assess

the effectiveness and efficiency of the agencies, programs, and

providers in helping homeless individuals advance toward

self-sufficiency, including an assessment of the percentage of

beneficiaries:

(A) who maintain housing for at least 12 months

after placement in the housing, disaggregated according to the

primary payor for the housing and including payors other than the

beneficiary;

(B) whose children are enrolled in school or

other educational programs;

(C) if eligible, who:

(i) participate in at least 20 hours per

week of paid employment, including paid apprenticeships;

(ii) are engaged in occupational or

vocational training programs; and

(iii) earn a living wage, as defined by the

applicable local workforce development board;

(D) who are ineligible to participate in at least

20 hours per week of paid employment described by Paragraph (C)(i),

disaggregated by the reason for ineligibility;

(E) with mental health needs, who engage in

ongoing mental health care services;

(F) with addiction or substance use disorders,

who engage in ongoing treatment services;

(G) with a history of involvement with the

criminal justice system that continued during the 12-month period

following the provision of the applicable services; and

(H) with a history of involvement with the

criminal justice system that ceased during the 12-month period

following the provision of the applicable services;

(3) make recommendations for:

(A) eliminating poorly performing programs,

services, and functions;

(B) ending contractual or funding relationships

with poorly performing community service providers;

(C) consolidating duplicative or overlapping

programs, services, and functions; and

(D) reallocating state resources to ensure that

the outcomes in relation to the criteria described by Subdivision

(2) are achieved in the most effective and economical manner; and

(4) based on the effectiveness at achieving the

outcomes described by Subdivision (2), rate each applicable agency,

program, or community service provider as "unsatisfactory,"

"satisfactory," or "exemplary."

(e) The following agencies must be included in the audit:

(1) the Texas Department of Housing and Community

Affairs;

(2) the Health and Human Services Commission;

(3) the Department of Family and Protective Services;

(4) the Texas Education Agency;

(5) the Texas Workforce Commission;

(6) the Texas Veterans Commission; and

(7) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

(f) In addition to the agencies listed in Subsection (e),

the State Auditor may select other state agencies for inclusion in

the audit.

(g) The external auditor must:

(1) complete the audit not later than the 90th day

after the date the auditor is engaged; and

(2) present its results and recommendations to the

State Auditor and the heads of the agencies subject to the audit.

(h) Not later than November 1 of the year in which an audit

is completed under this section, the State Auditor shall prepare

and submit to the governor, the speaker of the house of

representatives, the lieutenant governor, and the Legislative

Budget Board a report regarding the audit and recommendations for

improvement in the agencies, programs, and community service

providers assessed by the State Auditor.

(i) The full audit and State Auditor's report must be

published on the State Auditor's Internet website.

(j) The audit shall be paid for by using existing resources

allocated for the purpose of auditing the agencies identified under

Subsections (e) and (f).

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.