81R8428 MCK-F
By: Shapiro S.B. No. 1062
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating an online resource center for judges and
attorneys handling child abuse and neglect cases.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 264, Family Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER
Sec. 264.821. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Communications tool" means an online method,
including an e-mail network, a discussion board, or a document
sharing system, for:
(A) judges in this state to communicate with
other judges; and
(B) attorneys in this state to communicate with
other attorneys.
(2) "Office" means the Office of Court Administration
of the Texas Judicial System.
(3) "Online resource center" means a single
interactive Internet website that provides informational materials
pertinent to child abuse and neglect cases in this state, which may
include summaries of Texas cases and statutes relating to child
abuse and neglect, sample briefs and other legal forms, articles
and papers, manuals with information on Texas legal practice and
practice tips, a conference calendar, and communications tools.
Sec. 264.822. CONTRACT WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. (a)
The office shall contract with a nonprofit organization in this
state to provide an online resource center for judges and attorneys
handling child abuse and neglect cases. The online resource center
must:
(1) provide a means of searching for informational
materials by subject; and
(2) include a:
(A) communications tool for judges; and
(B) communications tool for attorneys.
(b) The contract under this section must prohibit the
nonprofit organization with which the office contracts from
spending more than 12 percent of the contract price on the
organization's indirect or administrative overhead expenses.
Sec. 264.823. ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT. The nonprofit
organization with which the office contracts under this subchapter
must:
(1) have at least three years of experience in
operating an online resource center specifically designed for
judges and attorneys handling child abuse and neglect cases in this
state;
(2) have at least one year of experience in providing a
communications tool; and
(3) employ or contract with at least one attorney who
is licensed to practice law in this state and who specializes in
child abuse and neglect cases to compile the materials for and
oversee the operation of the online resource center.
Sec. 264.824. FUNDING. The nonprofit organization with
which the office contracts under this subchapter may obtain funding
from private foundations and individuals, from state and federal
grants, and from any other source to operate the online resource
center.
Sec. 264.825. CONFIDENTIALITY. All communications
conducted through a communications tool provided in connection with
the online resource center implemented under this subchapter are
confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
Government Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.