By West                                                S.B. No. 875
         77R6327 KKA-D                           
                                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. Section 531.022(c), Government Code, is amended to
 1-8     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
 2-1     creativity; [and]
 2-2                 (8)  the fostering of innovation at the local level;
 2-3     and
 2-4                 (9)  the encouragement of full participation of fathers
 2-5     in programs and services relating to children.
 2-6           SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
 2-7     amended by adding Section 531.055 to read as follows:
 2-8           Sec. 531.055.  PARTICIPATION BY FATHERS. (a)  The commission
 2-9     and each health and human services agency shall periodically
2-10     examine commission or agency policies and procedures to determine
2-11     if the policies and procedures deter or encourage participation of
2-12     fathers in commission or agency programs and services relating to
2-13     children.
2-14           (b)  Based on the examination required under Subsection (a),
2-15     the commission and each health and human services agency shall
2-16     modify policies and procedures as necessary to permit full
2-17     participation of fathers in commission or agency programs and
2-18     services relating to children in all appropriate circumstances.
2-19           SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, is
2-20     amended by adding Section 402.030 to read as follows:
2-21           Sec. 402.030.  PARTICIPATION BY FATHERS. (a)  The attorney
2-22     general shall periodically examine office policies and procedures
2-23     to determine if the policies and procedures deter or encourage
2-24     participation of fathers in functions performed by the attorney
2-25     general relating to children.
2-26           (b)  Based on the examination required under Subsection (a),
2-27     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.