HBA-NIK H.B. 3256 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3256 By: Farrar Corrections 3/21/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law permits the sharing of information regarding convicted felons. The sharing of information among agencies provides continuity of care to offenders with mental or physical impairments. H.B. 3256 amends current law to authorize the sharing of information regarding special needs offenders between criminal justice, human services, and educational agencies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 614.017, Health and Safety Code, as follows. (a) Authorizes an agency to disclose information about the identity of a special needs offender, including the offender's supervision status and compliance with conditions of supervision. Makes a conforming change. (c) Provides that "agency" includes any of the specified entities, rather than a division within an agency, a person with an agency relationship with one of the specified entities, rather than an agency, and a person who contracts with one or more of the specified entities. Redefines "special needs offender." SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.