Sec. 161.502. DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT, EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER, AND COMMISSION. (a) The department shall:

(1) establish guidelines for the provision of the information required by Section 161.501;

(2) make available on the department's website:

(A) a printable version of the pamphlet required by Section 161.501(a)(1); and

(B) a printable version of the resource guide required by Section 161.501(a)(2);

(3) update the list of resources and required immunizations in the pamphlet required under Subdivision (2)(A) quarterly;

(4) make the pamphlet and resource guide required by Section 161.501 available for distribution to hospitals, physicians, birthing centers, nurse midwives, and midwives; and

(5) coordinate funding for the development, publication, and distribution of the informational pamphlet and resource guide with other health and human services agencies, and solicit funding for the department's duties under this subchapter through means other than appropriations, such as gifts, grants, and sales of sponsorship or advertising.

(b) The department may include additional information in the pamphlet or resource guide as appropriate for parents of newborns.

(c) The executive commissioner shall develop specific performance measures by which the commission may evaluate the effectiveness of the resource guide under Section 161.501(a)(2) in:

(1) reducing costs to the state; and

(2) improving outcomes for children.

(d) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to the legislature on the effectiveness of the resource guide under Section 161.501(a)(2), including legislative recommendations concerning the guide.

Redesignated from Health and Safety Code, Subchapter R, Chapter 161 and amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 696 (S.B. 316), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 171 (H.B. 1240), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0483, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0484, eff. April 2, 2015.