87R6463 JAM-F
By: Campos H.B. No. 1225
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an evaluation by the housing and health services
coordination council of the 2-1-1 services provided by the Texas
Information and Referral Network.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 2306.1096, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.1096. DUTIES; ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL REPORTS
[REPORT].
SECTION 2. Section 2306.1096, Government Code, is amended
by adding Subsections (a-1) and (b-1) and amending Subsection (b)
to read as follows:
(a-1) To help inform an expansion of service-enriched
housing throughout the state, not later than August 1 of each year
the council shall complete and submit to the department an
evaluation of the 2-1-1 services provided by the Texas Information
and Referral Network that considers:
(1) data collection from user calls and website visits
to determine:
(A) the extent of use of 2-1-1 services;
(B) demographic characteristics of 2-1-1 users;
(C) existing needs of 2-1-1 users;
(D) potential marketing needs; and
(E) comparisons with similar systems in other
states;
(2) scenario testing to evaluate whether local call
specialists at area information centers are:
(A) well trained and professional;
(B) knowledgeable about local resources;
(C) able to quickly identify and provide
available resources;
(D) able to deliver services to the elderly, the
disabled, and Spanish speakers; and
(E) personally committed to positive outcomes
and user satisfaction;
(3) scenario testing to evaluate the 2-1-1 Texas
website for:
(A) ease of use, intuitive searches, and refined
searching methods;
(B) the ability to provide information and
referrals relevant to the needs presented by users;
(C) the ability to provide search results by
geographic location;
(D) online customer service support;
(E) compliance with Section 508, Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794d); and
(F) the capacity to serve as a one-stop resource
of direct and indirect services;
(4) the database of the Texas Information and Referral
Network with respect to:
(A) current integration status of statewide
information and state agency resources;
(B) current integration status of regional and
local information and community resources;
(C) the process of identifying new service
providers and including those providers in the database;
(D) the monitoring of local organizations and
state agencies to ensure those entities are providing updated lists
of resources to include in the 2-1-1 database; and
(E) the ability to timely update
emergency-related information into the database;
(5) 2-1-1 Texas user interviews and recommendations
with respect to a user's point-of-entry experience and satisfaction
with any community resource information or referrals resulting from
the use of the service, and any other applicable 2-1-1 Texas user
recommendations;
(6) referral outcome statistics for 2-1-1 Texas users;
and
(7) 2-1-1 Texas leadership interviews and
recommendations with respect to:
(A) the Texas Information and Referral Network
program manager;
(B) area information center coordinators for
each region of the state;
(C) local call specialists;
(D) local service providers; and
(E) council members.
(b) The council shall develop a biennial plan to:
(1) implement the goals described by Subsection (a);
and
(2) improve the delivery of community resource
information and referrals by considering the results of the
evaluation conducted under Subsection (a-1).
(b-1) The department may use funds from general revenue to
contract for services on behalf of the council in relation to the
council's duties under Subsection (a-1).
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.