BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 717

By: Harris

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Individuals, state agencies, and local agencies have expressed concern to the legislature regarding the lack of cooperation when it comes to the sharing of juvenile information between juvenile service providers.  Interested parties contend that the lack of organization may lead to missed treatment opportunities, insufficient understanding of each youth's specific needs, duplication of services, and discontinuity of care.  S.B. 717 seeks to address these issues by establishing provisions relating to the purpose and duties of the Council on Children and Families.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 717 amends the Government Code to expand the purposes for which the Council on Children and Families is established to include the promotion of the sharing of information regarding children and their families among state agencies.  The bill expands the council's required duties to include the identification of technological methods to ensure the efficient and timely transfer of information among state agencies providing health, education, and human services to children and their families.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.