By: West S.B. No. 875
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to participation of fathers in programs and services
1-3 administered by the Health and Human Services Commission and
1-4 health and human services agencies and functions performed by the
1-5 office of the attorney general.
1-6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-7 SECTION 1. Subsection (c), Section 531.022, Government Code,
1-8 is amended to read as follows:
1-9 (c) The plan must include the following goals:
1-10 (1) the development of a comprehensive, statewide
1-11 approach to the planning of health and human services;
1-12 (2) the creation of a continuum of care for families
1-13 and individuals in need of health and human services;
1-14 (3) the integration of health and human services to
1-15 provide for the efficient and timely delivery of those services;
1-16 (4) the maximization of existing resources through
1-17 effective funds management and the sharing of administrative
1-18 functions;
1-19 (5) the effective use of management information
1-20 systems to continually improve service delivery;
1-21 (6) the provision of systemwide accountability through
1-22 effective monitoring mechanisms;
1-23 (7) the promotion of teamwork among the health and
1-24 human services agencies and the provision of incentives for
1-25 creativity; [and]
2-1 (8) the fostering of innovation at the local level;
2-2 and
2-3 (9) the encouragement of full participation of fathers
2-4 in programs and services relating to children.
2-5 SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
2-6 amended by adding Section 531.055 to read as follows:
2-7 Sec. 531.055. PARTICIPATION BY FATHERS. (a) The commission
2-8 and each health and human services agency shall periodically
2-9 examine commission or agency policies and procedures to determine
2-10 if the policies and procedures deter or encourage participation of
2-11 fathers in commission or agency programs and services relating to
2-12 children.
2-13 (b) Based on the examination required under Subsection (a),
2-14 the commission and each health and human services agency shall
2-15 modify policies and procedures as necessary to permit full
2-16 participation of fathers in commission or agency programs and
2-17 services relating to children in all appropriate circumstances.
2-18 SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, is
2-19 amended by adding Section 402.030 to read as follows:
2-20 Sec. 402.030. PARTICIPATION BY FATHERS. (a) The attorney
2-21 general shall periodically examine office policies and procedures
2-22 to determine if the policies and procedures deter or encourage
2-23 participation of fathers in functions performed by the attorney
2-24 general relating to children.
2-25 (b) Based on the examination required under Subsection (a),
2-26 the attorney general shall modify policies and procedures as
3-1 necessary to permit full participation of fathers in functions
3-2 performed by the attorney general relating to children in all
3-3 appropriate circumstances.
3-4 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.