1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to electronic access to health and human services
 1-3     information.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 531.0313, Government Code, is amended by
 1-6     amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
 1-7     follows:
 1-8           (d)  The Texas Information and Referral Network shall
 1-9     coordinate with the Department of Information Resources to maintain
1-10     the Internet site through the TexasOnline project established by
1-11     the Department of Information Resources.
1-12           (e)  In this section, "Internet" means the largest
1-13     nonproprietary, nonprofit cooperative public computer network,
1-14     popularly known as the Internet.
1-15           SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
1-16     amended by adding Section 531.0317 to read as follows:
1-17           Sec. 531.0317.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INFORMATION MADE
1-18     AVAILABLE THROUGH THE INTERNET.  (a)  In this section, "Internet"
1-19     means the largest nonproprietary, nonprofit cooperative public
1-20     computer network, popularly known as the Internet.
1-21           (b)  The commission, in cooperation with the Department of
1-22     Information Resources, shall establish and maintain through the
1-23     TexasOnline project established by the Department of Information
1-24     Resources a generally accessible and interactive Internet site that
1-25     contains information for the public regarding the services and
 2-1     programs provided or administered by each of the health and human
 2-2     services agencies throughout the state.  The commission shall
 2-3     establish the site in such a manner that it can be located easily
 2-4     through electronic means.
 2-5           (c)  The Internet site must:
 2-6                 (1)  contain information that is:
 2-7                       (A)  in a concise and easily understandable and
 2-8     accessible format; and
 2-9                       (B)  organized by the type of service provided
2-10     rather than by the agency or provider delivering the service;
2-11                 (2)  contain eligibility criteria for each agency
2-12     program;
2-13                 (3)  contain application forms for each of the public
2-14     assistance programs administered by health and human services
2-15     agencies, including application forms for:
2-16                       (A)  financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human
2-17     Resources Code;
2-18                       (B)  medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human
2-19     Resources Code; and
2-20                       (C)  nutritional assistance under Chapter 33,
2-21     Human Resources Code;
2-22                 (4)  to avoid duplication of functions and efforts,
2-23     provide a link that provides access to a site maintained by the
2-24     Texas Information and Referral Network under Section 531.0313;
2-25                 (5)  contain the telephone number and, to the extent
2-26     available, the electronic mail address for each health and human
 3-1     services agency and local provider of health and human services;
 3-2                 (6)  be designed in a manner that allows a member of
 3-3     the public to send questions about each agency's programs or
 3-4     services electronically and receive responses to the questions from
 3-5     the agency electronically; and
 3-6                 (7)  be updated at least quarterly.
 3-7           (d)  In designing the Internet site, the commission shall
 3-8     comply with any state standards for Internet sites that are
 3-9     prescribed by the Department of Information Resources or any other
3-10     state agency.
3-11           (e)  The commission shall ensure that:
3-12                 (1)  the Internet site does not contain any
3-13     confidential information, including any confidential information
3-14     regarding a client of a human services provider; and
3-15                 (2)  the Internet site's design and applications comply
3-16     with generally acceptable standards for Internet accessibility for
3-17     persons with disabilities and contain appropriate controls for
3-18     information security.
3-19           (f)  A health and human services agency, the Texas
3-20     Information and Referral Network, and the Department of Information
3-21     Resources shall cooperate with the commission to the extent
3-22     necessary to enable the commission to perform its duties under this
3-23     section.
3-24           SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
3-25     of this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall
3-26     establish the health and human services information Internet site
 4-1     required by Section 531.0317, Government Code, as added by this
 4-2     Act.
 4-3           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 834 passed the Senate on
         March 22, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
         present, not voting; and that the Senate concurred in House
         amendment on May 14, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 834 passed the House, with
         amendment, on May 5, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                      Date
         _______________________________
                    Governor