SRC-HRD S.B. 290 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 290
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
2-12-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, technical assistance for human service providers includes a
variety of services and activities designed to help providers understand
and comply with the requirements of the programs and contracts in which
they participate.  Most technical assistance is provided by state agency
personnel through myriad printed materials, field visits, and conferences,
and is usually organized such that providers receive separate guidance
from each program or agency from which they receive funds.  As a result,
most technical assistance systems suffer from lack of consistency and
comprehensiveness.  This bill requires the development of an Internet site
to allow users to access information about specific local service
providers at any time and from almost any location, in an attempt to
create a more helpful resource. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 290 requires the Health and Human Services Commission
and Department of Information Services to develop an Internet site to
provide informational assistance for human services providers.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 531A, Government Code, by adding Section
531.013, as follows: 

Sec. 531.013.  ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.  Requires
the Health and Human Services Commission (commission) to develop with the
Department of Information Resources (department) an Internet site to
provide assistance for human services providers.  Authorizes the
department to provide access to the same or a similar site on any other
widely used computer or telecommunications network or service.  Authorizes
the site to include information on certain subjects.  Requires the
commission to file a report on the Internet site with the commissioner of
health and human services and the heads of the health and human services
agencies not later than September 1, 1998.  Provides that this subsection
expires January 1, 1999. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.