By: Shapiro, Carona S.B. No. 1062
(In the Senate - Filed February 23, 2009; March 13, 2009,
read first time and referred to Committee on Jurisprudence;
April 20, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 20, 2009,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1062 By: Hinojosa
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating an online resource center for individuals
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 for
peer-to-peer communication among individuals who handle child
abuse and neglect cases.
(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, to individuals who
handle child abuse and neglect cases, timely 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. (a) The office shall contract
with an entity to provide an online resource center if:
(1) the office is specifically appropriated money in
an amount adequate to provide the online resource center; and
(2) there is a qualified entity with whom the office is
able to contract.
(b) 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.
(c) The contract under this section must prohibit the entity
with which the office contracts from spending more than 12 percent
of the contract price on the entity's indirect or administrative
overhead expenses.
(d) If the office does not enter into a contract in
accordance with this subchapter, the office may not receive the
funds appropriated to the office in connection with this
subchapter.
Sec. 264.823. ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT. The entity 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. (a) The entity 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.
(b) The entity must maintain and provide to the office
records that adequately identify:
(1) each person who provided funds to the entity to
operate the online resource center; and
(2) the amount of funds the person provided.
Sec. 264.825. CONFIDENTIALITY. All communications
conducted through a communications tool provided in connection with
the online resource center implemented under this subchapter are
privileged and confidential.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
* * * * *