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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 290
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
2-19-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


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 a myriad of 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 health and human service
agencies, in conjunction with the Department of Information Resources and
with the lead of the Health and Human Services Commission, to coordinate
and enhance their existing Internet sites to provide technical assistance
to human services providers.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 290 requires the health and human service agencies,
in conjunction with the Department of Information Resources and with the
lead of the Health and Human Services Commission, to coordinate and
enhance their existing Internet sites to provide technical 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
health and human service agencies, in conjunction with the Department of
Information Resources, to coordinate and enhance their existing Internet
sites to provide technical assistance for human services providers.
Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission) to take the
lead and ensure involvement of agencies with the greatest potential for
cost savings.  Authorizes assistance under this section to include
information on certain subjects.  Requires the commission and health and
human service agencies to file a report regarding the cost-effectiveness
of using the Internet site to coordinate and enhance technical assistance
for human services providers with the governor, lieutenant governor,
speaker of the house of representatives, and the Senate Committee on
Health and Human Services 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends SECTION 1, Section 531.013, Government Code, to require the health
and human service agencies, in conjunction with the Department of
Information Resources, to coordinate and enhance  their existing Internet
sites to provide technical service for human services providers.  Requires
the commission to take the lead and ensure involvement of agencies with
the greatest potential for cost savings.  Requires the commission and
health and human service agencies to file a report regarding the
cost-effectiveness of using the Internet with the governor, lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house, and the Senate Committee on Health and
Human Services.