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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a statewide homelessness data |
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system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter KK, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2306.911 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.911. STATEWIDE HOMELESSNESS DATA SYSTEM. (a) |
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The council shall collaborate with a state agency designated by the |
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council to establish a statewide homelessness data system through |
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which: |
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(1) state agencies and local governmental entities, |
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including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school |
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districts, and emergency service providers, are able to share |
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information related to individuals experiencing homelessness; and |
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(2) the entities described by Subdivision (1) are able |
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to access information related to individuals experiencing |
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homelessness in order to connect or refer those individuals to |
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services, including affordable housing opportunities. |
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(b) In developing the data system, the council and the state |
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agency designated by the council shall: |
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(1) consult with representatives of the entities |
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described by Subsection (a) to determine the challenges faced by |
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those entities in addressing homelessness and how best to improve |
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the responses to those challenges; |
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(2) enter into data sharing agreements as necessary |
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for the exchange of information relating to individuals |
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experiencing homelessness through the data system; and |
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(3) ensure that information stored in the data system |
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that is confidential under state or federal law is not disclosed. |
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(c) The data system established under this section must: |
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(1) to the extent permitted by a data sharing |
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agreement, collect data from other homelessness data systems |
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maintained or operated by a state agency, local law enforcement |
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agency, or other entity of this state; and |
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(2) collect, aggregate, analyze, and share |
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homelessness information submitted to the data system with entities |
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that have access to the system. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2023, the Texas |
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Interagency Council for the Homeless described by Subchapter KK, |
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Chapter 2306, Government Code, or an entity designated by the |
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council shall prepare and submit to the legislature and the Texas |
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Department of Housing and Community Affairs a written report that |
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evaluates the effectiveness of the statewide homelessness data |
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system established under Section 2306.911, Government Code, as |
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added by this Act, in addressing homelessness in this state. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |