Sec. 531.02031. STUDY ON CONTINUING NEED FOR CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES. (a) Not later than July 31, 2018, the executive commissioner shall conduct a study and submit a report and recommendations to the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee that include:

(1) a recommendation regarding the need to continue the Department of Family and Protective Services as a state agency separate from the commission, unless a determination on the continuation is made before that date;

(2) a recommendation regarding the need to continue the Department of State Health Services as a state agency separate from the commission;

(3) an assessment of the quality and consistency of data sharing, communication, and coordination between the Department of Family and Protective Services and the commission; and

(4) an assessment of any known or potential conflicts of interest concerning licensing and regulation activities by the Department of Family and Protective Services or the commission, including the process by which known conflicts of interest are mitigated or managed by those agencies.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee shall review the report and recommendations submitted under Subsection (a) and submit a report and recommendations to the legislature that include:

(1) a recommendation regarding the need to continue the Department of Family and Protective Services as a state agency separate from the commission, unless a determination on the continuation is made before that date;

(2) a recommendation regarding the need to continue the Department of State Health Services as a state agency separate from the commission; and

(3) an assessment of and any necessary recommendations concerning data sharing, communication, and coordination between the Department of Family and Protective Services and the commission.

(c) The Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee shall include the following in the report submitted to the legislature under Subsection (b):

(1) an evaluation of the transfer of prevention and early intervention services functions to the Department of Family and Protective Services as provided by this subchapter, including an evaluation of:

(A) any increased coordination and efficiency in the operation of the programs achieved as a result of the transfer;

(B) the department's coordination with other state agency programs providing similar prevention and early intervention services; and

(C) the department's interaction with stakeholders and other interested parties in performing the department's functions; and

(2) any recommendations concerning the transfer of prevention and early intervention services functions of the department to another state agency.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 312 (S.B. 1021), Sec. 2, eff. May 29, 2017.