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