SRC-TBR S.B. 834 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 834
By: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
6/27/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

S.B. 834 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to coordinate
with the proposed Program Management Office to establish health and human
services information on the TexasOnline state Internet portal.  This bill
requires the Health and Human Services Commission to work with other state
agencies and local health and human services providers to continue
developing the Internet-based Information and Referral Network to provide
information through the TexasOnline portal. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 531.0313, Government Code, by amending
Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e), as follows: 

(d)  Requires the Texas Information and Referral Network to coordinate with
the Department of Information Resources to maintain the Internet site
through the TexasOnline project established by the Department of
Information Resources. 

  (e)  Defines "Internet."

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section
531.0317, as follows: 

Sec. 531.0317.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE
THROUGH THE INTERNET.  (a)  Defines "Internet." 

(b)  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission), in
cooperation with the Department of Information Resources (department), to
establish and maintain through the TexasOnline project established by the
department a generally accessible and interactive Internet site that
contains information for the public regarding the services and programs
provided or administered by each of the health and human services agencies
throughout the state.  Requires the commission to establish the site in
such a manner that it can be located easily through electronic means. 

  (c)  Requires the Internet site to meet certain criteria.

(d)  Requires the commission, in designing the Internet site, to comply
with any state standards for Internet sites that are prescribed by the
department or any other state agency. 

(e)  Requires the commission to ensure that certain conditions are met.

 (f)  Requires a health and human services agency, the Texas Information
and Referral Network, and the Department of Information Resources to
cooperate with the commission to the extent necessary to enable the
commission to perform its duties under this section. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the commission, as soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Act, to establish the health and human services
information Internet site required by Section 531.0317, Government Code, as
added by this Act. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.