Sec. 531.02012. TRANSFER AND CONSOLIDATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES FUNCTIONS. (a) In this section, "administrative support services" has the meaning assigned under Section 531.00553.

(b) As soon as practicable after the first day of the period prescribed by Section 531.02001(1) and not later than the last day of the period prescribed by Section 531.02001(2), in accordance with and on the dates specified in the transition plan required under Section 531.0204, the executive commissioner shall, after consulting with affected state agencies and divisions, transfer and consolidate within the commission administrative support services functions of the health and human services system to the extent consolidation of those support services functions is feasible and contributes to the effective performance of the system. Consolidation of an administrative support services function under this section must be conducted in accordance with the principles and requirements for organization of administrative support services under Section 531.00553(c).

(c) Consultation with affected state agencies and divisions under Subsection (b) must be conducted in a manner that ensures client services are, at most, only minimally affected, and must result in a memorandum of understanding or other agreement between the commission and each affected agency or division that:

(1) details measurable performance goals that the commission is expected to meet;

(2) identifies a means by which the agency or division may seek permission from the executive commissioner to find an alternative way to address the needs of the agency or division, as appropriate;

(3) identifies steps to ensure that programs under the health and human services system, whether large or small, receive administrative support services that are adequate to meet the program's needs; and

(4) if appropriate, specifies that staff responsible for providing administrative support services consolidated within the commission are located in the area where persons requiring those services are located to ensure the staff understands related program needs and can respond to those needs in a timely manner.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 837 (S.B. 200), Sec. 1.01(a), eff. September 1, 2015.