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.