By: Dutton H.B. No. 708
73R2243 CLG-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the composition, powers, duties, and change of the name
1-3 of the Interagency Council for Services for the Homeless.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Part 2, Article 4413(501), Revised Statutes, is
1-6 amended by adding Section 2.11 to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 2.11. TEXAS INTERAGENCY COUNCIL FOR THE HOMELESS. (a)
1-8 The Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless is composed of:
1-9 (1) one representative from each of the following
1-10 agencies, appointed by the administrative head of that agency:
1-11 (A) the Texas Department of Health;
1-12 (B) the Texas Department of Human Services;
1-13 (C) the Texas Department of Mental Health and
1-14 Mental Retardation;
1-15 (D) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
1-16 (E) the Texas Department on Aging;
1-17 (F) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission;
1-18 (G) the Central Education Agency;
1-19 (H) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug
1-20 Abuse;
1-21 (I) the Department of Protective and Regulatory
1-22 Services;
1-23 (J) the Health and Human Services Commission;
1-24 (K) the Texas Employment Commission;
2-1 (L) the Texas Youth Commission;
2-2 (M) the Texas Veterans Commission; and
2-3 (N) the work force development division of the
2-4 Texas Department of Commerce;
2-5 (2) one representative from the office of the
2-6 comptroller of public accounts appointed by the comptroller;
2-7 (3) two representatives from the department, one each
2-8 from the community affairs division and housing finance division,
2-9 appointed by the director; and
2-10 (4) three members representing service providers to
2-11 the homeless, one each appointed by the governor, the lieutenant
2-12 governor, and the speaker of the house.
2-13 (b) A member of the council serves at the pleasure of the
2-14 appointing official or until termination of the member's employment
2-15 with the entity the member represents. The members shall annually
2-16 elect one member to serve as presiding officer. The council shall
2-17 meet at least quarterly. Any actions taken by the council must be
2-18 approved by a majority vote of the members present.
2-19 (c) The Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless is
2-20 subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless
2-21 continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the council is
2-22 abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 1999.
2-23 (d) The council may select and use advisors as necessary.
2-24 (e) The department shall provide clerical and advisory
2-25 support staff to the council.
2-26 (f) The council shall:
2-27 (1) survey current resources for services for the
3-1 homeless in the state;
3-2 (2) initiate an evaluation of the current and future
3-3 needs for the services;
3-4 (3) assist in coordinating and providing statewide
3-5 services for all homeless persons in the state;
3-6 (4) increase the flow of information among separate
3-7 providers and appropriate authorities;
3-8 (5) develop guidelines to monitor the provision of
3-9 services for the homeless and the methods of service delivery;
3-10 (6) provide technical assistance to the housing
3-11 finance division in assessing the need for housing for persons with
3-12 special needs in different localities;
3-13 (7) establish a central resource and information
3-14 center for the homeless in the state; and
3-15 (8) develop, in cooperation with the department and
3-16 the Health and Human Services Commission, a strategic plan to
3-17 address the needs of the homeless in the state.
3-18 (g) The council shall submit annually a progress report to
3-19 the governing bodies of the agencies represented on the council.
3-20 (h) The department shall operate a transitional housing
3-21 pilot program in four areas of the state if funds are made
3-22 available. The program shall address the needs of the homeless
3-23 for:
3-24 (1) interim housing;
3-25 (2) physical and mental health services;
3-26 (3) literacy training;
3-27 (4) job training;
4-1 (5) family counseling;
4-2 (6) credit counseling;
4-3 (7) education services; and
4-4 (8) other services that will prevent homelessness.
4-5 (i) The council may accept gifts and grants from a public or
4-6 private source for use in carrying out the council's duties under
4-7 this section.
4-8 SECTION 2. Section 781.0175, Government Code, is repealed.
4-9 SECTION 3. (a) The name of the Interagency Council for
4-10 Services for the Homeless is changed to the Texas Interagency
4-11 Council for the Homeless. Any reference in the law to the
4-12 Interagency Council for Services for the Homeless means the Texas
4-13 Interagency Council for the Homeless.
4-14 (b) Before ordering or purchasing new paper or forms to
4-15 reflect the name change, the Texas Interagency Council for the
4-16 Homeless shall use all paper and forms in the possession of the
4-17 Interagency Council for Services for the Homeless.
4-18 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
4-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
4-23 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
4-24 passage, and it is so enacted.