87R5286 JG-D
By: Bowers H.B. No. 1260
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the feasibility of establishing a
centralized homelessness crisis response data system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "council" means the Texas
Interagency Council for the Homeless established under Subchapter
KK, Chapter 2306, Government Code.
(b) The council shall conduct a study on the feasibility of
establishing a centralized homelessness crisis response data
system through which state agencies, local governmental entities,
including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school
districts, and emergency service providers, and other relevant
persons are able to share and access information related to
individuals who experience chronic homelessness in order to connect
or refer those individuals to services, including affordable
housing opportunities.
(c) In conducting the study under this section, the council
shall:
(1) consult with representatives of the entities
described by Subsection (b) of this section to determine the
challenges faced by those entities in addressing chronic
homelessness and how best to improve the responses to those
challenges; and
(2) assess the feasibility of the centralized
homelessness crisis response data system described by Subsection
(b) of this section to:
(A) collect data from other homelessness crisis
response data systems maintained or operated by a state agency,
local law enforcement agency, or other entity of this state; and
(B) collect, aggregate, analyze, and share
homelessness information with entities that have access to the
system.
(d) Not later than November 1, 2022, the council shall
prepare and submit to the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs a written report that summarizes the results of the study
conducted under this section.
SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.