88R4418 JG-D
 
  By: Campos H.B. No. 913
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a statewide homelessness data
  system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter KK, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2306.911 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2306.911.  STATEWIDE HOMELESSNESS DATA SYSTEM. (a)
  The council shall collaborate with a state agency designated by the
  council to establish a statewide homelessness data system through
  which:
               (1)  state agencies and local governmental entities,
  including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school
  districts, and emergency service providers, are able to share
  information related to individuals experiencing homelessness; and
               (2)  the entities described by Subdivision (1) are able
  to access information related to individuals experiencing
  homelessness in order to connect or refer those individuals to
  services, including affordable housing opportunities.
         (b)  In developing the data system, the council and the state
  agency designated by the council shall:
               (1)  consult with representatives of the entities
  described by Subsection (a) to determine the challenges faced by
  those entities in addressing homelessness and how best to improve
  the responses to those challenges;
               (2)  enter into data sharing agreements as necessary
  for the exchange of information relating to individuals
  experiencing homelessness through the data system; and
               (3)  ensure that information stored in the data system
  that is confidential under state or federal law is not disclosed.
         (c)  The data system established under this section must:
               (1)  to the extent permitted by a data sharing
  agreement, collect data from other homelessness data systems
  maintained or operated by a state agency, local law enforcement
  agency, or other entity of this state; and
               (2)  collect, aggregate, analyze, and share
  homelessness information submitted to the data system with entities
  that have access to the system.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2025, the Texas
  Interagency Council for the Homeless described by Subchapter KK,
  Chapter 2306, Government Code, or an entity designated by the
  council shall prepare and submit to the legislature and the Texas
  Department of Housing and Community Affairs a written report that
  evaluates the effectiveness of the statewide homelessness data
  system established under Section 2306.911, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, in addressing homelessness in this state.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.