Sec. 531.0162. USE OF TECHNOLOGY

(a) The commission shall develop and implement a policy requiring the agency commissioner and employees of each health and human services agency to research and propose appropriate technological solutions to improve the agency's ability to perform its functions. The technological solutions must:

(1) ensure that the public is able to easily find information about a health and human services agency on the Internet;

(2) ensure that persons who want to use a health and human services agency's services are able to:

(A) interact with the agency through the Internet; and

(B) access any service that can be provided effectively through the Internet;

(3) be cost-effective and developed through the commission's planning process; and

(4) meet federal accessibility standards for persons with disabilities.

(b) The commission shall develop and implement a policy described by Subsection (a) in relation to the commission's functions.

(c) Subject to available appropriations, the commission shall use technology whenever possible in connection with the adult protective services program of the Department of Family and Protective Services to:

(1) provide for automated collection of information necessary to evaluate program effectiveness using systems that integrate collection of necessary information with other routine duties of caseworkers and other service providers; and

(2) consequently reduce the time that caseworkers and other service providers are required to use in gathering and reporting information necessary for program evaluation.

(d) The commission shall include representatives of the private sector in the technology planning process used to determine appropriate technology for the adult protective services program of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.06, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 , Sec. 2.17, eff. September 1, 2005.