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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 834
77R7122 CLG-DBy: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
2/26/2001
As Filed


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 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. 

  (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 each health and human services agency, the Texas Information
and Referral Network, and the department to cooperate with the commission
to the extent necessary to enable the commission to perform its duties
under this section. 

(f)  Authorizes the department, if the department has a program management
office, to delegate its duties under this section to that office. 

SECTION 2.  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 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.