NLM S.B. 397 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 397
By: Zaffirini
Human Services
4-14-1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, Texas health and human services agencies are required to
provide the Texas Information and Referral Network (network) with health
and human services information from their agencies for inclusion in the
network.  However, some other organizations that receive state funds have
not been participating in the network and are implementing separate
information and referral systems.  S.B. 397 requires public and private
organizations that receive state funds for providing health and human
services to provide the network with their health and human services
information. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 531.0312(b), Government Code, to include a
public or private entity that receives state-appropriated funds for
providing health and human services as an entity that is required to
provide information about those services to the Texas Information and
Referral Network for a statewide information and referral network.
Requires the entity to provide the information in a form to be determined
by the commissioner of health and human services and for the information to
be updated at least quarterly. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.