1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to requiring the Department of Human Services to conduct 1-3 evaluations to improve its programs. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 22, Human Resources Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 22.0015 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 22.0015. EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PROGRAMS. The 1-8 department shall conduct research, analysis, and reporting of its 1-9 programs to evaluate and improve the programs. The department may 1-10 contract with one or more independent entities to assist the 1-11 department with the research, analysis, and reporting required by 1-12 this section. 1-13 SECTION 2. Not later than January 15, 1999, January 15, 1-14 2001, and January 15, 2003, the Texas Department of Human Services 1-15 shall report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and speaker 1-16 of the house of representatives regarding the department's success 1-17 in evaluating and improving its programs, as required by Section 1-18 22.0015, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act. The 1-19 department shall notify members of the legislature and the standing 1-20 committees of the senate and house of representatives having 1-21 primary jurisdiction over the department of the filing of each 1-22 report. Each report must: 1-23 (1) for each evaluation contract entered into under 2-1 Section 22.0015, Human Resources Code, during the period covered by 2-2 the report, identify: 2-3 (A) the beginning and ending dates, the 2-4 authorized amount, and the purpose of the contract; and 2-5 (B) the identity of the contractor; and 2-6 (2) indicate the titles of major evaluation reports 2-7 completed by the department and its contractors during the period 2-8 covered by the report, including reports concerning state and 2-9 federal welfare reform. 2-10 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 2-11 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2126 was passed by the House on April 11, 1997, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 2126 on May 14, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2126 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 12, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor