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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to creating an online resource center for judges and |
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attorneys handling child abuse and neglect cases. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter K to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER K. ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER |
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Sec. 264.821. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Communications tool" means an online method, |
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including an e-mail network, a discussion board, or a document |
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sharing system, for: |
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(A) judges in this state to communicate with |
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other judges; and |
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(B) attorneys in this state to communicate with |
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other attorneys. |
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(2) "Office" means the Office of Court Administration |
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of the Texas Judicial System. |
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(3) "Online resource center" means a single |
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interactive Internet website that provides informational materials |
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pertinent to child abuse and neglect cases in this state, which may |
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include summaries of Texas cases and statutes relating to child |
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abuse and neglect, sample briefs and other legal forms, articles |
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and papers, manuals with information on Texas legal practice and |
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practice tips, a conference calendar, and communications tools. |
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Sec. 264.822. CONTRACT WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. (a) |
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The office shall contract with a nonprofit organization in this |
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state to provide an online resource center for judges and attorneys |
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handling child abuse and neglect cases. The online resource center |
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must: |
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(1) provide a means of searching for informational |
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materials by subject; and |
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(2) include a: |
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(A) communications tool for judges; and |
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(B) communications tool for attorneys. |
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(b) The contract under this section must prohibit the |
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nonprofit organization with which the office contracts from |
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spending more than 12 percent of the contract price on the |
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organization's indirect or administrative overhead expenses. |
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Sec. 264.823. ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT. The nonprofit |
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organization with which the office contracts under this subchapter |
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must: |
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(1) have at least three years of experience in |
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operating an online resource center specifically designed for |
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judges and attorneys handling child abuse and neglect cases in this |
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state; |
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(2) have at least one year of experience in providing a |
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communications tool; and |
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(3) employ or contract with at least one attorney who |
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is licensed to practice law in this state and who specializes in |
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child abuse and neglect cases to compile the materials for and |
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oversee the operation of the online resource center. |
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Sec. 264.824. FUNDING. The nonprofit organization with |
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which the office contracts under this subchapter may obtain funding |
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from private foundations and individuals, from state and federal |
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grants, and from any other source to operate the online resource |
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center. |
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Sec. 264.825. CONFIDENTIALITY. All communications |
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conducted through a communications tool provided in connection with |
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the online resource center implemented under this subchapter are |
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confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, |
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Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |