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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 individuals |
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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 for |
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peer-to-peer communication among individuals who handle child |
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abuse and neglect cases. |
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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, to individuals who |
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handle child abuse and neglect cases, timely informational |
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materials pertinent to child abuse and neglect cases in this state, |
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which may include summaries of Texas cases and statutes relating to |
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child abuse and neglect, sample briefs and other legal forms, |
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articles and papers, manuals with information on Texas legal |
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practice and practice tips, a conference calendar, and |
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communications tools. |
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Sec. 264.822. CONTRACT. (a) The office shall contract |
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with an entity to provide an online resource center if: |
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(1) the office is specifically appropriated money in |
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an amount adequate to provide the online resource center; and |
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(2) there is a qualified entity with whom the office is |
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able to contract. |
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(b) The online resource center 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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(c) The contract under this section must prohibit the entity |
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with which the office contracts from spending more than 12 percent |
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of the contract price on the entity's indirect or administrative |
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overhead expenses. |
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(d) If the office does not enter into a contract in |
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accordance with this subchapter, the office may not receive the |
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funds appropriated to the office in connection with this |
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subchapter. |
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Sec. 264.823. ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT. The entity with |
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which the office contracts under this subchapter 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. (a) The entity with which the |
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office contracts under this subchapter may obtain funding from |
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private foundations and individuals, from state and federal grants, |
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and from any other source to operate the online resource center. |
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(b) The entity must maintain and provide to the office |
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records that adequately identify: |
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(1) each person who provided funds to the entity to |
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operate the online resource center; and |
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(2) the amount of funds the person provided. |
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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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privileged and confidential. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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