1-1 By: Maxey (Senate Sponsor - Ellis) H.B. No. 937 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 11, 1999; 1-3 May 12, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on Human 1-4 Services; May 14, 1999, reported favorably by the following vote: 1-5 Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 14, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to the operation of certain food programs administered by 1-9 the Texas Department of Human Services. 1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-11 SECTION 1. Section 33.024, Human Resources Code, is amended 1-12 by adding Subsections (k)-(m) to read as follows: 1-13 (k) The department shall develop and implement an outreach 1-14 program to increase participation in the summer program if funds 1-15 are appropriated or otherwise made available for that purpose. The 1-16 department shall design the outreach program to: 1-17 (1) increase participation of children from low-income 1-18 families; 1-19 (2) increase the number of summer programs offered 1-20 across this state, with particular emphasis on increasing programs 1-21 in needy communities; 1-22 (3) encourage school districts and public and private 1-23 nonprofit agencies to form partnerships to develop summer programs 1-24 that combine educational activities, such as reading enrichment, 1-25 with the provision of meals; and 1-26 (4) promote any other goal established by the 1-27 department relating to increased participation in the summer 1-28 program. 1-29 (l) The outreach program required by Subsection (k) must 1-30 target communities and schools that have the highest percentage of 1-31 eligible children and include: 1-32 (1) presentations to public schools, public entities, 1-33 and private nonprofit agencies that would be eligible to 1-34 participate in the summer program; 1-35 (2) dissemination of information regarding eligibility 1-36 requirements and application procedures; 1-37 (3) continual support and technical assistance to 1-38 existing programs to increase participation levels and to ensure 1-39 that the programs continue to operate; and 1-40 (4) public service announcements that publicize the 1-41 summer program and that appear on local television and radio 1-42 stations. 1-43 (m) The department shall administer a grant program designed 1-44 to encourage eligible organizations to serve as local sponsors or 1-45 meal preparation sites for the summer program by awarding a 1-46 financial supplement for each meal served from funds appropriated 1-47 or otherwise made available for that purpose. 1-48 SECTION 2. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by 1-49 adding Section 33.026 to read as follows: 1-50 Sec. 33.026. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM: REQUIRED 1-51 NOTICES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUTHORITY. (a) Before adopting or 1-52 changing a department rule or policy relating to the federal Child 1-53 and Adult Care Food Program, the department shall submit the 1-54 proposed action to the department's advisory committee on that 1-55 program for comment, unless immediate action is required by federal 1-56 law. If immediate action is required by federal law, the 1-57 department shall submit the action for comment at the earliest 1-58 possible date. 1-59 (b) The department shall provide written notice to each 1-60 sponsoring organization of any modification or clarification of 1-61 department rules or policies relating to the federal Child and 1-62 Adult Care Food Program. Notice provided through electronic mail 1-63 is considered to be written notice for purposes of this subsection. 1-64 (c) The department's advisory committee on the federal Child 2-1 and Adult Care Food Program may: 2-2 (1) conduct public hearings in accordance with 2-3 department procedures; 2-4 (2) refer issues relating to the program to the board 2-5 for discussion; and 2-6 (3) recommend modifications to the department's 2-7 training programs for sponsoring organizations and other persons 2-8 participating in the program. 2-9 SECTION 3. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by 2-10 adding Section 33.027 to read as follows: 2-11 Sec. 33.027. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM: ELECTRONIC 2-12 FILING. (a) In administering the federal Child and Adult Care 2-13 Food Program, the department shall, unless prohibited by federal 2-14 law, permit a sponsoring organization or other person participating 2-15 in the program to submit applications and other required 2-16 information to the department in an electronic format or through 2-17 the use of electronically produced forms. 2-18 (b) The department may implement Subsection (a) by 2-19 developing necessary computer systems or by using computer systems 2-20 developed or made available for that purpose by a sponsoring 2-21 organization or other appropriate person. 2-22 SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this 2-23 section, this Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-24 (b) Section 3 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2001. 2-25 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the 2-26 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-27 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-28 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-29 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. 2-30 * * * * *