76R10856 KKA-D
By Maxey H.B. No. 937
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 937:
By Olivo C.S.H.B. No. 937
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the operation of certain food programs administered by
1-3 the Texas Department of Human Services.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 33.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-6 by adding Subsections (k)-(m) to read as follows:
1-7 (k) The department shall develop and implement an outreach
1-8 program to increase participation in the summer program if funds
1-9 are appropriated or otherwise made available for that purpose. The
1-10 department shall design the outreach program to:
1-11 (1) increase participation of children from low-income
1-12 families;
1-13 (2) increase the number of summer programs offered
1-14 across this state, with particular emphasis on increasing programs
1-15 in needy communities;
1-16 (3) encourage school districts and public and private
1-17 nonprofit agencies to form partnerships to develop summer programs
1-18 that combine educational activities, such as reading enrichment,
1-19 with the provision of meals; and
1-20 (4) promote any other goal established by the
1-21 department relating to increased participation in the summer
1-22 program.
1-23 (l) The outreach program required by Subsection (k) must
1-24 target communities and schools that have the highest percentage of
2-1 eligible children and include:
2-2 (1) presentations to public schools, public entities,
2-3 and private nonprofit agencies that would be eligible to
2-4 participate in the summer program;
2-5 (2) dissemination of information regarding eligibility
2-6 requirements and application procedures;
2-7 (3) continual support and technical assistance to
2-8 existing programs to increase participation levels and to ensure
2-9 that the programs continue to operate; and
2-10 (4) public service announcements that publicize the
2-11 summer program and that appear on local television and radio
2-12 stations.
2-13 (m) The department shall administer a grant program designed
2-14 to encourage eligible organizations to serve as local sponsors or
2-15 meal preparation sites for the summer program by awarding a
2-16 financial supplement for each meal served from funds appropriated
2-17 or otherwise made available for that purpose.
2-18 SECTION 2. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by
2-19 adding Section 33.026 to read as follows:
2-20 Sec. 33.026. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM: REQUIRED
2-21 NOTICES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. (a) Before adopting or
2-22 changing a department rule or policy relating to the federal Child
2-23 and Adult Care Food Program, the department shall submit the
2-24 proposed action to the department's advisory committee on that
2-25 program for comment, unless immediate action is required by federal
2-26 law. If immediate action is required by federal law, the
2-27 department shall submit the action for comment at the earliest
3-1 possible date.
3-2 (b) The department shall provide written notice to each
3-3 sponsoring organization of any modification or clarification of
3-4 department rules or policies relating to the federal Child and
3-5 Adult Care Food Program. Notice provided through electronic mail
3-6 is considered to be written notice for purposes of this subsection.
3-7 (c) The department's advisory committee on the federal Child
3-8 and Adult Care Food Program may:
3-9 (1) conduct public hearings in accordance with
3-10 department procedures;
3-11 (2) refer issues relating to the program to the board
3-12 for discussion; and
3-13 (3) recommend modifications to the department's
3-14 training programs for sponsoring organizations and other persons
3-15 participating in the program.
3-16 SECTION 3. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by
3-17 adding Section 33.027 to read as follows:
3-18 Sec. 33.027. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM: ELECTRONIC
3-19 FILING. (a) In administering the federal Child and Adult Care
3-20 Food Program, the department shall, unless prohibited by federal
3-21 law, permit a sponsoring organization or other person participating
3-22 in the program to submit applications and other required
3-23 information to the department in an electronic format or through
3-24 the use of electronically produced forms.
3-25 (b) The department may implement Subsection (a) by
3-26 developing necessary computer systems or by using computer systems
3-27 developed or made available for that purpose by a sponsoring
4-1 organization or other appropriate person.
4-2 SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
4-3 section, this Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
4-4 (b) Section 3 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2001.
4-5 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the
4-6 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-7 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-8 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-9 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.